Ishan Kishan ruled out of third T20I against New Zealand as BCCI confirms he is yet to regain match fitness

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington on October 27, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Monday, as he continues to recover from a low-grade right adductor strain sustained during the first T20I of the series.

The BCCI said Kishan is “recovering well” but “is yet to regain match fitness”, adding that its medical team is monitoring his progress. Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra, brought in as cover, will remain with the squad for the third match.

India bowling coach Morne Morkel told a pre-match press conference in Wellington that Kishan would train on Monday but was unavailable for selection “just as a precaution”.

Kishan, 28, also missed the second T20I in Christchurch, where teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi replaced him in the playing XI. India won that match to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, and victory in Wellington would seal the series with two matches to spare.

Kishan batted at No. 5 in the series opener, scoring one run off three balls before being caught on the leg-side boundary off Mitchell Santner, after India had reshuffled their batting order following his injury.

Sources: Sportstar, https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ishan-kishan-ruled-out-third-t20i-new-zealand/article71625591.ece ; The Economic Times, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/cricket/ind-vs-nz-ishan-kishan-ruled-out-ahead-of-3rd-t20i-as-precautionary-measure/articleshow/135202666.cms ; NDTV, https://sports.ndtv.com/new-zealand-vs-india-2026-27/ishan-kishan-ruled-out-of-3rd-t20i-against-new-zealand-another-chance-for-vaibhav-sooryavanshi-12235725 ; The Times of India, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-new-zealand/ind-vs-nz-ishan-kishan-ruled-out-of-third-t20i-against-new-zealand/articleshow/135202604.cms