India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20I against New Zealand due to a low-grade right adductor strain, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Friday.
The second match of the five-game series is scheduled to be played at Hagley Oval on Saturday, with India leading 1-0 after winning the opening encounter by four wickets.
In an update on social media platform X, the BCCI said Kishan sustained the injury during Thursday’s first T20I and that its medical team was monitoring his recovery.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had earlier indicated that the 28-year-old was unlikely to feature in the second match due to a groin niggle.
Kishan had a brief outing in the series opener, scoring just one run at No. 5 during India’s chase of 226 before being dismissed by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner.
India secured victory in the opening match through an aggressive batting display, led by Sanju Samson’s 67 off 33 balls and Naman Dhir’s unbeaten 42 off 15 deliveries. Captain Shreyas Iyer also contributed 42 runs as India reached the target with two balls remaining.
Earlier, Glenn Phillips struck an unbeaten 82 off 40 balls and Finn Allen scored 45 off 24 deliveries to help New Zealand post 225/4, their highest total in home T20 internationals.
Kishan has scored 1,955 runs in 67 T20Is at an average of 31.03 and a strike rate of 148.55. He is also part of India’s squad for the upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand.
The tour comprises five T20Is, followed by five ODIs and two Test matches.
