India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the third T20 International against New Zealand as a precautionary measure after suffering an injury during the opening match of the series.

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India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel confirmed the development on Monday, October 26, 2026, saying the 28-year-old would be unavailable for the upcoming fixture.

Kishan sustained a right adductor strain during the series opener last week. The injury has kept the left-handed batter out of contention for the third T20I as the Indian team takes a cautious approach to his recovery.

The decision to rest Kishan is intended to avoid aggravating the injury. Adductor strains affect the muscles on the inner thigh and can interfere with a player’s running, turning and movement behind the stumps.

Kishan’s absence means India will have to manage their wicketkeeping and batting options for the match. His aggressive style at the top of the order has made him a valuable option in the shortest format, where quick starts can significantly influence a team’s total.

However, the team has prioritised caution rather than risk an early return while he is recovering. No further details about his recovery timeline or availability for subsequent matches were included in the report.

India’s ongoing T20I series against New Zealand provides an important opportunity for the team to assess its combinations and maintain momentum. Kishan’s fitness will remain a point of interest as the series progresses.

For now, the focus will be on his recovery, with the team taking a precautionary approach following the right adductor strain.