Ishan Kishan may miss third T20 too, Vaibhav Suryavanshi likely to get another chance

The second match of the T20 series between India and New Zealand was played on Saturday, October 24, and India won. Having taken the first two matches of the five-match series, India now lead 2-0.

The third T20 of the series is to be played on October 27 at the Regional Cricket Stadium in Wellington. India will aim to win that match as well and take the series. Ahead of the game, however, the team faces a major dilemma over Ishan Kishan's fitness.

Kishan was injured while fielding in the first T20. For that reason he did not come out to bat at number three and arrived at the crease much later. The BCCI then announced that he would not play the second T20, and Kumar Kushagra was added to the squad in his place. The BCCI had said Kishan was out only for the second T20.

The latest reports, however, say Kishan has not recovered fully. He is said to have a low-grade strain. He will not be fit for the October 27 match, and he is therefore likely to be out of the third T20 as well.

In the second match, Vaibhav Suryavanshi got a place in the playing eleven in Kishan's absence. He could not do much, however, and was dismissed for 4 runs off 8 balls. India were set a target of 181 and had considerable difficulty in the chase. Kishan's absence was clearly felt at that point. In the end, a explosive innings from Tilak Varma gave India a four-wicket win.

The question now is whether Suryavanshi will play the third T20 as well. He could not play a big innings in the second match, but he has performed very well over the past year. Had Kishan been fit for the third match, Suryavanshi would have had to sit out. With the Jharkhand batter not fit, though, the Indian team may give Suryavanshi another chance.