India Hand Injury Blow Against New Zealand as Ishan Kishan Ruled Out, Kumar Kushagra Named Replacement

India have been forced into a late squad change ahead of the second Twenty20 International against New Zealand. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan suffered a low-grade right adductor strain during the series opener, ruling him out of the second clash at Hagley Oval.

Kumar Kushagra Receives Senior Call-Up

The Men’s Selection Committee immediately named Kumar Kushagra as Kishan’s replacement. The BCCI Medical Team continues to monitor Kishan’s recovery, and he remains part of the squad for the upcoming five-match ODI series.

Kushagra has earned his maiden opportunity with the senior squad. The uncapped wicketkeeper-batter was already based in Christchurch with the India A team and was preparing for a three-match unofficial Test series against New Zealand A in Lincoln. He will now join captain Shreyas Iyer’s camp immediately.

Losing Kishan creates a notable void at the top of the order. He amassed 1,955 runs in 67 T20Is, averaging 31.03 with a strike rate of 148.55.

India Aim to Extend Series Lead

India currently held a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series. They chased down a massive target in the first game to win by four wickets. New Zealand posted 225/4, with Glenn Phillips smashing an unbeaten 82 off 40 balls and Finn Allen contributing a rapid 45 off 24 deliveries. It was the highest home T20I total in New Zealand history.

The Indian batting lineup responded brilliantly. Sanju Samson top-scored with 67 off 33 balls, while Naman Dhir provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 42 off 15 deliveries. Captain Shreyas Iyer chipped in with 42 off 28 balls as India reached the target with two balls to spare.

Updated India Squad for the Second T20I Against New Zealand

Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Tilak Varma (VC), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Kumar Kushagra (WK).

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