India batter Ishan Kishan set to miss second T20I against New Zealand

India batter Ishan Kishan set to miss second T20I against New Zealand

India top-order batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20I in New Zealand due to a groin strain, with teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi poised to return to the starting XI.

Kishan sustained a right adductor strain, according to a BCCI statement, during the series opener in Christchurch on Thursday, which the tourists won by four wickets to go 1-0 ahead.

"Ishan Kishan has a niggle in his groin," India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said at a press conference. "I know there was speculation (about the change in the batting order" but it wasn't a change as such.

"It was because of the groin strain (to Kishan). I think he is unlikely for one game."

Sooryavanshi is now likely to be included in India's line-up after missing the last four T20Is after playing in the semi-final and final of their victorious Asian Games.

The 15-year-old is the most like-for-like replacement for Kishan in the touring squad, with only other option being seam-bowling allrounder Shivam Dube.

Kotak added: "If Ishan can't play - unless he recovers completely, the medical team will tell (us) - then obviously Vaibhav comes into the calculations as a batter. (He is) definitely one of the strongest persons who can play."

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