IND vs NZ: Predicted India playing XI for the second T20I against New Zealand

Team India kicked off their New Zealand tour with a historic win at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, pulling off a record-breaking chase of 226 to take a 1-0 lead in the 5-match T20I series. Both teams remain at the same ground for the second T20I on October 24. 

Now, the visitors are looking to extend their lead by winning the 2nd T20I, while the hosts want to bounce back and level the series. However, Team India received a huge blow ahead of the second encounter after No. 1-ranked T20I batter Ishan Kishan has already been ruled out of the second T20I due to a low-grade right adductor strain.

Team India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak revealed Ishan Kishan’s injury during the post-match press conference. He also explained that the injury forced a batting order shuffle in the first T20I, which saw Tilak Varma promoted while Ishan Kishan dropped to No. 5.

He also mentioned that Kishan’s injury could open the door for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the second T20I. If Vaibhav plays, it will be very fascinating to see which position he will bat at. Will he open or bat at 3? If Vaibhav opens, then Sanju Samson could bat at 3, as happened earlier in the Asian Games 2026. 

“There was a lot of speculation I have also seen, just because Ishan had a strain in his groin, the batting order was changed,' Kotak said.”

“If Ishan doesn’t play, unless he recovers completely, which the medical team will advise, Vaibhav could definitely step in for him. He is one of the strongest contenders,” he added.

Taking a cue from New Zealand's brilliant spin tactics in the first game, India looks set to field a premium spinner—either Varun Chakaravarthy or Kuldeep Yadav—for the second match. This tactical shift will cost one pacer their spot, though the rest of the lineup should remain identical. 

Predicted India playing XI for the second T20I 

Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer ©, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav