India's predicted playing XI vs New Zealand in 1st T20I: Shreyas Iyer or Ishan Kishan? Who will replace Tilak Varma?

Ishan Kishan will return to the Indian playing XI for the first time in more than two years after captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that the left-hander will be preferred ahead of Shreyas Iyer when the men in Blue take on New Zealand in the first of the five T20I, starting on Wednesday.

Having played his last international game for India in 2023, Kishan was rewarded for his consistent domestic performances for Jharkhand with a spot in the national squad for the T20Is against New Zealand and in the T20 World Cup 2026. The left-hander scored 517 runs in 10 matches to finish as the highest run-getter in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament.

With Tilak Varma injured and out for the first three T20Is against the Kiwis, Kishan will bat at no.3 spot. “Obviously we will miss Tilak and Washi. But injuries are part of a sportsperson's career. It would be an opportunity for someone else who will play. Ishan will play at No. 3. He is part of the World Cup squad and deserves to play,” Suryaumar confirmed.

Iyer, who was initially not picked in the Indian T20I squad for New Zealand series, was called in for the first three games as a replacement for Tilak.