Why are Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah not playing today in IND vs NZ 2nd T20I?

Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur is hosting the second game of the five-match India vs New Zealand T20I series, where the hosts Men in Blues have made two key changes, as Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah are absent from the playing XI. Here, we will know the reason for both players’ exclusion from the playing XI. 

Hosts India are leading the T20I series by 1–0 before the beginning of the second T20I in Raipur on Friday evening (January 23). Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to field first after winning the toss, where dew can play a very important role. 

India made two changes in the playing XI, as the right-arm fast bowler Harshit Rana and the left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav have returned to the playing XI. The all-rounder and vice-captain Axar Patel and the right-arm fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah are absent from the playing XI for the Rajkot T20I.

IND vs NZ 2nd T20I: Why is Axar Patel not playing?

During the T20I series opener last Wednesday evening (January 21), Axar Patel suffered an injury as the left-arm spinner couldn’t finish his fourth over. On the third ball of the 16th over of the second innings, while he went to save the ball on his own delivery, the powerful shot hit Axar’s left hand. He soon left the field as his absence from the second T20I was very expected. 

There is no official information yet about Axar Patel’s injury status, while the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is less than three weeks away from beginning. Kuldeep Yadav has replaced Axar, as Kuldeep will provide the left-arm spin bowling option, while he is a top wrist spinner. 

See Also: India celebrate new team record before Pakistan during IND vs NZ 2nd T20I in Raipur

IND vs NZ Raipur T20I: Why is Jasprit Bumrah not playing?

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah isn’t in the injury list, which can give a huge relief to the Indian fans ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. There are likely two reasons why Bumrah has been excluded from the playing XI for the Raipur T20I. While one is the simple reason of giving rest before the T20 World Cup, the other reason may be due to the absence of Axar Patel. All-rounder Axar is missing this T20I due to an injury, which created a gap in the lengthy batting line-up, and Harshit Rana has been included due to his ability to play as a bowling all-rounder.