Injured Ishan Kishan from 2nd T20I, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to replace batter: Sitanshu Kotak
Just two days after India captain Shreyas Iyer said that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will have to wait to break into the Indian T20I squad, the teenager could get a chance in the second T20I against New Zealand. Vaibhav, who was dropped from the playing eleven due to a busy top order, is likely to replace Ishan Kishan in the lineup for the second match of the series.
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak informed the press after the conclusion of the opening T20I in Christchurch on Thursday that Kishan has suffered a groin injury and is unlikely to feature in the next match at Hagley Oval.
Kishan, the team’s No.3 batsman in T20Is, was knocked down the order on Thursday, sparking speculation among fans. Initially, it looked like another experiment by the Indian team, with Tilak Varma returning to his original position at No. 3. Kishan eventually came to bat at No. 5 after Varma’s dismissal, but he lasted just three balls. He tried to hit a six off his third delivery but ended up with the ball straight into the hands of Finn Allen.
India’s batting coach later revealed that Kishan had been knocked down the order due to groin discomfort.
“Ishan Kishan has a groin, that’s why Tilak Varma has been promoted. Ishan is also unlikely to play in the second T20I. If Ishan doesn’t play, unless he recovers completely, which the medical team advises, Vaibhav could definitely step in for him. He is one of the strongest contenders,” Sitanshu Kotak told the press.
VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI GETS THE LUCKY ELEMENT
The development could give Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a breakthrough opportunity after he was left out of the playing eleven for the opening match. The teenager has not played a T20I since the Asian Games final in Nagoya. Vaibhav was asked by captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir to remain patient as questions surrounding his suspension grew louder in the media and cricket circles.
“He is very young; he has more years to get opportunities. It is not like he can come in right now because our openers are scoring regularly and have won the World Cup,” Iyer told reporters ahead of the first T20I.
“So, if you see that when he comes overseas, he will get a good idea of how to play those particular wickets. Next time, whenever he gets into those conditions, he will be very well prepared. And he can also instruct the other members of the team, whether he is coming here for the first time,” he added.
India will play the second T20I at Hagley Oval on October 24. The visitors have already taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series after winning the opening match by four wickets with two balls to spare.
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