Ishan Kishan Out of 3rd T20I Due to Injury

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the third T20 International (T20I) against New Zealand because of a minor adductor strain. The match is scheduled to take place in Wellington on October 27, 2026.

Kishan suffered the injury during the opening match of the series and also missed the second T20I. According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), he is recovering from the injury but has not yet regained full match fitness. The team management has therefore decided not to rush him back into action.

Wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra has been called up to cover for Kishan. He was initially added to the squad as a backup for the second match and will remain with the team for the third T20I as well. His inclusion gives India another option as the team prepares for the upcoming game.

In the second match, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was brought into the playing side in place of Kishan. However, he managed to score only four runs and could not make a major contribution with the bat. Despite this, India secured a victory, with Sanju Samson playing an important role by scoring an unbeaten 67, according to the supplied report.

The opening match also produced an exciting contest between the two teams. New Zealand posted a strong total of 225 runs for four wickets, with Glenn Phillips scoring an unbeaten 82. India responded with an effective batting performance and successfully chased down the target.

In the second match, New Zealand reportedly scored 180 runs for five wickets. India then completed the chase to win by five wickets, with Tilak Varma contributing an unbeaten 51. His innings helped India maintain control during the chase and move forward in the series.

Kishan’s absence is a setback for India because of his ability to contribute both as a wicketkeeper and as an aggressive batter. However, the team will hope he makes a full recovery before returning to international cricket.

The third T20I will be important for both teams as they look to strengthen their positions in the series. India will aim to continue its strong performance, while New Zealand will look to respond on home soil.

The wider tour is also expected to include One Day International (ODI) matches and Test cricket. These fixtures will provide both teams with further opportunities to test their players across different formats.

Editorial note: Verify the match results, player performances and tour schedule against official BCCI and New Zealand Cricket updates before publication. The supplied details contain inconsistencies: India’s reported victory margin in the second T20I differs, and the statement about the wider tour and World Test Championship cycle needs confirmation.