Ishan Kishan in contention to return for 4th India vs New Zealand T20I at Eden Park

Ishan Kishan is in contention to rejoin India’s playing XI for the fourth T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, October 30, with India already having clinched the five-match series after winning the first three games.

India have rotated their side more in this New Zealand tour than they did in the recent West Indies series, handing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi an opportunity in the middle order during the T20I series; Kishan, who featured only in the opening match batting at number five and was dismissed for 1 by Mitchell Santner, missed the next two games with a low-grade right adductor strain but has been practicing in the nets and could be available for selection.

Sanju Samson has shouldered opening duties for India in the series, scoring 67 off 33 deliveries in the first T20I and earning the Player of the Match award, then contributing 14 off 17 in the second game; in the third match he relinquished the top spot to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and made 18 off 13, leaving the door open for Samson to be rested for the fourth game to accommodate Kishan ahead of the ODI schedule.

Abhishek Sharma provided brisk starts across the series, making 29 off 12 in the opener and 27 in the second T20I before compiling 113 off 38 in the third fixture to secure India’s series win; the 26-year-old’s form is strong, though the selectors may consider giving him a rest for the fourth T20I after continuous match action.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who did not feature in the West Indies T20I series, was drafted into India’s starting XI for the second T20I against the Black Caps and managed 4 off 8 in that outing; he then struck four boundaries and four maximums in the third T20I, combining with Abhishek Sharma for a 133-run opening partnership, but the board could opt for the more experienced Kishan when naming the XI for the next match.

Selection ahead of the Eden Park fixture will determine which of Samson, Abhishek or Sooryavanshi makes way if Kishan is recalled; the fourth India v New Zealand T20I takes place on Friday, October 30 at Eden Park in Auckland.