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Ishan Kishan to play for India in first T20I against New Zealand

Will take the place of injured Tilak Varma at No.3; skipper Suryakumar Yadav will continue batting at 4 despite poor form

3 min readNagpurUpdated: Jan 20, 2026 07:39 PM IST

With the recent injury to Tilak Varma, skipper Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Kishan will play his first match in India colours since November 2023 on Wednesday. (AP)

Two years after his total ouster from the India setup across formats, Ishan Kishan is set to make his return with the national team in their first T20I against New Zealand in Nagpur on Wednesday.

After spearheading Jharkhand’s title run with an impressive showing at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last month, Kishan was drafted into India’s squad for the T20 World Cup in a surprise decision that saw vice-captain Shubman Gill dropped in pursuit of team balance. With the recent injury to Tilak Varma, skipper Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Kishan will play his first match in India colours since November 2023 on Wednesday.

“Ishan will play at No.3 tomorrow,” Surya confirmed to reporters here on Tuesday. He went on to explain Kishan’s inclusion over that of Shreyas Iyer, who was the squad replacement for Tilak for this series. “We picked him first for the World Cup team, so it’s only fair that he gets the chance first. He also has not played for India in a long time. He deserves to play ahead. Unfortunately, Tilak is not in that position, so we feel Ishan is our best bet at No. 3.”

Also Read | What Ishan Kishan can learn from Rishabh Pant’s fate? Carry the sword, but don’t forget the shield

What that means for the India skipper himself is not so clear. Desperately struggling for form, going 22 innings without a 50+ score for India, Surya may have believed that moving up from No. 4 to No. 3 would be a fruitful call. But he also confirmed that there are no changes for him in the batting order, meaning that only if there is a special need for a right-hander within the context of the match situation will he play at No. 3.

Ahead of the crucial five-match home series against New Zealand, which will act as the final preparation for the T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka, the India captain said he spent much of the last month trying to reconcile his own game and the template of the team to try to return to form.

“I’m still batting in the nets the way I always have,” he said.

“I’ve been out of the runs. But I can’t change my identity. I have decided to keep doing what I have been doing in the last three or four years that has given me a lot of success. If the performance comes, I’ll take it; if it doesn’t, it’s back to the drawing board.”

Namit Kumar

Namit Kumar is a Senior Sports Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. He is known for his versatile reporting across several major sports disciplines. Professional Profile Specializations: He covers a wide variety of sports including tennis, football, cricket, and motorsports. Focus: His writing often delves into the finer details and technical analysis of the sports he covers. Social Media: You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @namitkumar_17. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Namit’s recent work focuses heavily on international cricket series and domestic tournaments, as well as high-profile global tennis events: International Cricket (India vs South Africa Series): "Intelligence, skill, and heart: How Arshdeep Singh took out Reeza Hendricks" (Dec 15, 2025) — A detailed analysis of Arshdeep's tactical comeback in the T20I series. "How India's seamers froze South Africa in chilly Dharamshala" (Dec 14, 2025). "Why India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill losing form, is the start of a blunt headache" (Dec 12, 2025) — An analytical piece on the statistics and form of India's leadership duo. "Quinton de Kock dismantles Indian bowling combination with silent savagery" (Dec 11, 2025). Domestic Cricket (Ranji Trophy): "Ranji Trophy: J&K conquer Kotla and Delhi for first time" (Nov 11, 2025) — Reporting on the historic first win for Jammu & Kashmir over Delhi in the tournament's history. "What makes J&K pacer Auqib Nabi special" (Nov 8, 2025) — A profile on the pacer's accuracy and swing. "Unearthing the next Virat Kohli still a while away but Delhi's young batting talent full of promise" (Oct 24, 2025). Tennis and Golf: "Jannik Sinner's winter-time madness: How Italian refined his game to beat Alcaraz" (Nov 17, 2025) — A deep dive into Sinner’s technical improvements following his US Open loss. "Everyone's come to watch Rory McIlroy but keep an eye out for 'people's champion' Tommy Fleetwood" (Oct 17, 2025). Football Tactics: "Why are long throw-ins giving football defenders and lawmakers a headache?" (Nov 2, 2025) — An analytical piece on the evolving strategies surrounding throw-ins in modern football. Reporting Style Namit is active in covering the Delhi sports scene, providing detailed match reports for international cricket matches and Ranji Trophy fixtures at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He also provides on-the-ground reporting for happenings in the city, such as his recent coverage of the DP World India Championship golf event. Additionally, he actively writes on tennis, analysing matches and reporting on major events, especially during the Grand Slam tournaments. ... Read More

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