IND vs NZ 2026: Ishan Kishan to Bat at No. 3 as India Look to Settle T20 World Cup 2026 Plans
Ishan Kishan will bat at No. 3 in the first T20I vs New Zealand as India use the series to lock World Cup combinations.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav has confirmed that Ishan Kishan will bat at number three in the first T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur.
The move reflects the team management’s trust in Kishan after his return to the national side following a long absence from T20Is.
Kishan is back in India’s T20I setup after nearly two years away. The left-hander last played a T20I in 2024 and has worked his way back through strong domestic performances.
With Shubman Gill not part of the T20I squad and Tilak Varma unavailable for the first three matches, India had an open spot in the top order. Kishan has been handed that responsibility straightaway.
His selection is backed by a standout run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025. Kishan led Jharkhand to their maiden title and finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, forcing the selectors to take notice.
India see Kishan as an important middle-order option heading into the T20 World Cup at home. The No. 3 role gives him time in the middle and exposure to different match situations.
Speaking about the decision, Suryakumar said Kishan’s place in the World Cup plans was clear. “He deserves to play ahead of Iyer as he’s already part of the World Cup squad,” the captain said.
Suryakumar will lead the side in the five-match series, with Axar Patel named vice-captain. Rinku Singh makes his return to the squad after missing recent games.
India have been forced into one change in the bowling group. Washington Sundar has been ruled out with an injury and Ravi Bishnoi has been named as his replacement.
The bowling attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, with Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav providing variety.
The T20I series comes right after India’s 1-2 ODI series loss to New Zealand. These matches offer a key chance to fine-tune combinations before the T20 World Cup.
The five games will be played in Vidarbha, New Raipur, Barsapara, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram, giving the team exposure to different conditions early in the cycle.
