Ishan Kishan injured, Vaibhav Suryavanshi likely to play second T20 against New Zealand

There is good news for Vaibhav Suryavanshi's fans. With Ishan Kishan injured, Vaibhav is likely to get a place in the playing XI for the second T20 against New Zealand. India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak shared the information after the first T20. Fans of the 15-year-old explosive batter were thrilled on hearing it.

The second match of the series will be played at Christchurch on February 24. The first T20 was also played at the same ground. To win it, India had to chase the biggest target in T20 history. Replying to a question, Kotak clarified that Ishan Kishan has a minor thigh muscle injury, and that is why Tilak Varma was promoted to number three in the batting order. As a precaution, Ishan is unlikely to play the second T20. Kotak also said that if Ishan does not play, Vaibhav Suryavanshi has a good chance of playing.

In the first match, New Zealand were asked to bat first. Powered by an explosive half-century from Glenn Phillips, they posted 225/4, their highest T20 international total against India. In reply, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma gave India the good start they needed.

When Tilak Varma came in at number three in place of Ishan after Abhishek was dismissed, everyone was surprised, because Tilak usually bats at number four. In the new position he was out for just 6 runs off 11 balls. After that, all the pressure fell on India. Ishan came in at number five but was dismissed after scoring a single run off three balls.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir has said several times earlier that the opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson won India the T20 World Cup, and so the champion pair will not be replaced. Vaibhav is only 15 and will get many chances. Captain Shreyas Iyer had said on the eve of the first T20 that Vaibhav would have to wait to make the playing XI. But with Ishan now injured, Vaibhav has a good opportunity.

Since Vaibhav's international debut, India have played 22 T20s, but he was included in the side in only eight of them. After his brilliant performance in IPL 2026, he was selected for the Indian team for the first time for the UK tour. In Ireland he waited for his chance, and he finally got to play in England.

On England's fast and bouncy pitches, Vaibhav could not handle the English fast bowlers well. He managed only 42 runs in three matches. In the next series in Zimbabwe, however, he regained his form and scored two half-centuries in three matches. Even so, on returning to India the 15-year-old was benched, and Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma were again picked to open the innings.