Kumar Kushagra replaces injured Ishan Kishan in India Squad for 2nd T20I vs New Zealand

Kumar Kushagra has been added to India’s squad for the second T20I against New Zealand after Ishan Kishan was ruled out with a low-grade right adductor strain. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the decision ahead of the match scheduled to be played in Christchurch on Saturday.

The Ishan Kishan injury update comes after the wicketkeeper-batter sustained the injury during the first T20I of the series. The BCCI medical team will continue to monitor his recovery, while Kumar Kushagra will join the Indian team as cover for the injured player.

The India T20I squad update brings attention to Kushagra, who has impressed with his performances in domestic cricket. The Gujarat Titans batter recently played an important role in Jharkhand’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph and has also scored centuries in first-class cricket.

Kumar Kushagra added to India’s squad as cover after Ishan Kishan’s adductor strain

Kumar Kushagra replaces Ishan Kishan in India’s squad for the second T20I after the latter suffered a low-grade right adductor strain during the series opener against New Zealand. The BCCI announced Kushagra’s inclusion later on Friday, confirming that he would join the senior team in Christchurch.

Kishan’s injury is a setback for India ahead of the second match, particularly because of his role as a wicketkeeper-batter. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress, and further updates will depend on his recovery. Kushagra, who was already in Christchurch with the India A squad, will be available as cover for the upcoming match.

The 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has also received a call-up to India’s ODI squad for the final two matches of the New Zealand tour. However, his inclusion for the second T20I is specifically as cover for Kishan. According to the announcement, Kushagra is expected to return to the India A squad after the match, subject to any changes in Kishan’s injury status.

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Who is Kumar Kushagra? GT batter’s T20 record, SMAT 2025-26 form and career stats

Kumar Kushagra is a wicketkeeper-batter from Jharkhand who has attracted attention through his performances in domestic cricket. Born on October 23, 2004, Kumar Kushagra’s age is 22 as of October 23, 2026. He is a right-handed batter who can operate in the middle order, particularly between No. 3 and No. 6.

Kushagra enjoyed an impressive Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 campaign, scoring 422 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 161.68. He played a key role in Jharkhand’s maiden title-winning campaign, scoring 81 off 38 balls in the final against Haryana. His innings included eight fours and five sixes, and he shared a 177-run second-wicket partnership with captain Ishan Kishan as Jharkhand secured a 69-run victory.

His domestic record also includes a major performance in the Ranji Trophy, where he scored 266 against Nagaland in 2022 at just 17 years and 141 days old. He has also registered centuries in the Duleep Trophy and an India A match against Australia A. In the IPL, Kumar Kushagra was signed by Delhi Capitals for ₹7.2 crore at the 2024 auction but scored only three runs across four appearances. Gujarat Titans subsequently acquired him for ₹65 lakh in 2025 and retained him for 2026. These performances have strengthened his profile as a young Indian wicketkeeper-batter.

What it means for India’s playing XI in the 2nd T20I vs New Zealand in Christchurch

The absence of Ishan Kishan could force India to reconsider its batting combination for the second T20I. With Kishan sidelined, the team management must quickly resolve how to fill his crucial number 3 slot. Sanju Samson is listed as the wicketkeeper in the updated squad, giving India an established option behind the stumps.

Kumar Kushagra’s addition does not automatically guarantee a place in India’s playing XI vs New Zealand. The team management could retain its existing combination and use him as a backup wicketkeeper or consider giving him an opportunity if further changes are required. His recent T20 performances for Jharkhand could support his case, but the final decision will depend on India’s requirements for the Christchurch T20I.

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India’s updated squad for the second T20I includes 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 and Kumar Kushagra (wk). India will look to finalise its combination ahead of the match, while Kishan’s recovery remains an important point to monitor during the series.