Suryakumar Yadav confirmed Ishan Kishan’s batting position for the first T20I against New Zealand as India began fine-tuning combinations for the T20 World Cup.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav on Tuesday confirmed Ishan Kishan’s batting position ahead of the first T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur, stating that the left-hander will bat at number three. The announcement came during the pre-match press conference, underlining the team management’s confidence in Kishan following his return to the national side after nearly two years.
The five-match T20I series against New Zealand, beginning on Wednesday, marks a crucial phase in India’s preparations for the T20 World Cup. India enter the series after a 1–2 defeat in the ODI series against the Black Caps and will look to settle their combinations ahead of the global event.
With Shubman Gill not included in the T20 squad and Tilak Varma ruled out of the first three matches due to injury, Kishan has emerged as a key option near the top of the order.
“He deserves to play ahead of Iyer as he’s already part of the World Cup squad,” the India skipper said.
Kishan last represented India in 2023 before stepping away after requesting a break from international cricket, a move that eventually led to the loss of his central contract.
Once considered a regular in India’s white-ball plans, the wicketkeeper-batter spent nearly two years out of the national setup as selectors stressed the importance of domestic performances.
His return has been powered by strong showings for Jharkhand. Kishan enjoyed an outstanding Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, leading Jharkhand to their maiden title and finishing the tournament as the highest run-scorer. The Indian team management now sees him as a vital middle-order option heading into the T20 World Cup.
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India will be led by Suryakumar Yadav in the series, with Axar Patel named vice-captain. Rinku Singh also returns to the squad, while Washington Sundar has been ruled out due to injury and replaced by Ravi Bishnoi. Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead the bowling attack, supported by Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav.
The series will be played across Vidarbha, New Raipur, Barsapara, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram, offering varied conditions as India look to finalise their T20 World Cup combinations.
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