Nagpur is set to witness Ishan Kishan’s international resurgence as captain Suryakumar Yadav locked in the dynamic left-hander for the first T20I against New Zealand. Batting at three, Kishan ends a 26-month drought since his last appearance, riding high on domestic dominance.
The decision trumps Sanju Samson’s primary keeper status, highlighting Kishan’s batting priority. Tilak Varma’s injury absence for three games brought Shreyas Iyer into the mix, but Kishan’s form makes his selection a no-brainer.
Kishan’s New Zealand record needs polishing: 103 runs in seven innings at 14.71 average, no fifties. Contrast that with his T20I career stats—796 runs in 32 games, six half-centuries—proving his big-match temperament. His last outing was against Australia in Guwahati, 2023.
With the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon, this platform could catapult Kishan back to stardom. Expect aggressive strokeplay and wicketkeeping flair as India aims to dominate early. The series opener promises high drama.