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India lead New Zealand 2-0 in the five-match T20I series in Wellington today. A win in the 3rd T20I seals the series, but Ishan Kishan stays out injured.
Updated: October 27, 2026, 10:50 AM IST
Quick Read:
- The 3rd T20I is today, October 27, in Wellington. India lead the five-match series 2-0.
- Ishan Kishan is out again with a right adductor strain, says bowling coach Morne Morkel.
- A win today seals the series 3-0 with two games still to play.
India stand one win from the series. The 3rd T20I takes place today, October 27, in Wellington. India lead the five-match series 2-0. Both wins came by 4 wickets, per CricBengal. The first win featured a record chase. The second win rode a Tilak Varma and Reddy stand. Those two wins set up today. Win, and the series is sealed at 3-0. Two games would still remain. But the trophy race would be over.
Also read: https://indiapresents.in/india-nz-2nd-t20i-tilak-reddy-win/
Kishan out again
Ishan Kishan misses out again. He picked up a right adductor strain in the series opener. Bowling coach Morne Morkel spoke on October 26. He said Kishan is “not available for selection, just as a precaution”. Those are Morkel’s words. Kishan is training. But he’s not match-fit yet. The team won’t risk him. A strain can worsen fast. Rest now beats a longer layoff later.
That opens the door for youth. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, looks set to continue. He batted at No. 3 in the 2nd T20I. He scored 4 off 8 balls. Small score, big stage. The team seems keen to back him. A young batter learns fast at this level. One low score won’t end his run. Expect him in the mix again today.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma open the batting. That’s the pair at the top. They set the tempo in the powerplay. Their starts have shaped both wins so far. If they fire, India chase or set big totals with ease. If they fall early, the middle order must rebuild. Wellington’s pitch will test them. Early swing can trouble openers there.
Cover, call-ups, and bowling calls
Kumar Kushagra joined as uncapped cover. He covers the wicketkeeping slot while Kishan recovers. “Uncapped” means he hasn’t played for India yet. Cover players train with the squad. They step in only if needed. His call-up shows the team wants depth. It doesn’t mean he plays today. That’s a call for match day.
New Zealand made a change too. Kyle Jamieson joined their squad, per an IPL.com snippet. We don’t detail beyond that here. Squad news shifts fast on tour. The snippet is the source. More detail would need a fuller report. For now, note the name. He adds height and pace to their options.
The bowling talk centres on two names. Bhuvneshwar Kumar leaked runs in both games. He gave away 49 runs in game one. He took 1 for 50 in game two. Mayank Yadav waits in the wings. Reports say he is in contention for a spot. That’s reports, not a confirmed change. Teams often back senior bowlers after a bad day. But two costly games raise questions. Could the XI change? Yes, it could. Is it confirmed? No. Don’t read this as a confirmed XI. No confirmed playing XI is published here.
What history says
History leans India’s way. New Zealand last won a T20I series against India in 2018/19, per ETV Bharat. That’s a long gap. India have held the edge since. But series leads can breed ease. A 2-0 lead can tempt teams to relax. New Zealand will fight hardest today. They must win to stay alive. A cornered team is a risky team. India must match that hunger.
Wellington adds its own test. Wind swirls around the ground. Bounce can surprise batters. Bowlers who hit the deck hard do well. Fielding stays sharp in the cold air. Small things decide T20 games. A dropped catch. A tight over. A smart run. India must nail the small things again.
The simple read: India are favourites today. The form, the lead, and the batting depth all back them. But T20 cricket flips fast. One big over can change a game. New Zealand know this is do-or-die. Expect a scrap, not a stroll. If India win, the series is theirs with two games to spare.
FAQ
Q: When and where is the India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I? A: Today, October 27, 2026, in Wellington. India lead the five-match series 2-0.
Q: Why is Ishan Kishan not playing? A: He has a right adductor strain from the series opener. Bowling coach Morne Morkel said on October 26 that Kishan is “not available for selection, just as a precaution”.
Q: Is India’s playing XI confirmed for the 3rd T20I? A: No. This post does not publish a confirmed XI. Bowling changes, including Mayank Yadav’s possible inclusion, are reports only, not official news.
Also read: https://indiapresents.in/jailer-2-day-11-box-office/ and https://indiapresents.in/ott-releases-week-oct26-dhindora-baththa/
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