New Delhi, October 23 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced that Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20I against New Zealand. Ishan suffered a minor injury to his right adductor muscle.
Kumar Kushagra has been included in the squad as cover for Ishan Kishan. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated in a release that Kushagra, who is currently in Christchurch with the India A team, will join the Indian team for the second T20I. The BCCI medical team will continue to monitor Ishan Kishan’s condition. Ishan suffered the injury during the first T20I of the series, which the Indian team won by four wickets.
The BCCI said in a statement, “Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20 International against New Zealand. He suffered a minor injury to his right adductor during the first T20 International of the series. The BCCI medical team is monitoring his condition.”
In the first match of the series, Ishan came in to bat at number 5, while Tilak Verma came in at number 3. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explained the change in the batting order, saying that wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan suffered an upper thigh injury. Ishan’s absence from the second T20 could create an opportunity for young batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi to break into the playing XI.
Kotak told reporters, “I’ve also heard a lot of speculation. The batting order was changed because Ishan suffered an upper thigh injury. If Ishan doesn’t fully recover – which the medical team will advise – and doesn’t play, Vaibhav (Suryavanshi) can definitely get a chance in his place. He is one of the strongest contenders.”
India’s squad for the second T20: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Tilak Verma (vice-captain), Axar Patel, Shivam Dubey, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dheer, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper).
