India and New Zealand face off in the 4th T20I of the five-match series at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Vizag, with India already holding an unassailable 3–0 lead. While India won the toss and chose to bowl first, the biggest talking point before the match was the absence of Ishan Kishan from the playing XI.
Fans were quick to notice his name missing, especially after his strong performances earlier in the series. Here is the complete and clear reason behind his exclusion.
Why Is Ishan Kishan Not Playing the 4th T20I?
Ishan Kishan has been rested due to a minor niggle. The Indian team management decided not to take any risk with him, especially with the T20 World Cup 2026 just weeks away. While the injury is not serious, it was enough for the selectors to keep him out as a precautionary measure.
After Tilak Varma’s injury earlier in the series, Ishan stepped in and made an immediate impact at No.3. He scored valuable runs across matches and looked in excellent rhythm. However, with the series already secured, India opted for player rotation and workload management.
India’s Team Combination Change
In place of Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh has been included in the playing XI, adding an extra pace option. This move allows India to test bowling combinations while also giving key batters and all-rounders defined roles ahead of the World Cup.
Despite Sanju Samson’s modest returns in the series, the team management has continued to back him, while Ishan’s rest is purely injury-related and not performance-based.
IND vs NZ 4th T20I – Match Details
| Match | India vs New Zealand – 4th T20I |
|---|---|
| Date | 28 January 2026 |
| Venue | ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam |
| Toss | India won, chose to bowl |
| Start Time | 7:00 PM IST |
| Live Telecast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar (App & Website) |
Pitch and Conditions at Vizag
The Vizag pitch has traditionally supported batters, especially in run chases. In recent years, high-scoring matches have been common at this venue. Spinners can get some grip in the middle overs, but fast bowlers with variations remain effective.
Weather conditions are clear, with no rain threat and comfortable evening temperatures, making it ideal for a full match.
India Playing XI – 4th T20I
| India XI |
|---|
| Abhishek Sharma |
| Sanju Samson (wk) |
| Suryakumar Yadav (c) |
| Rinku Singh |
| Hardik Pandya |
| Shivam Dube |
| Harshit Rana |
| Ravi Bishnoi |
| Kuldeep Yadav |
| Arshdeep Singh |
| Jasprit Bumrah |
Change: Ishan Kishan rested, Arshdeep Singh included.
New Zealand Playing XI
| New Zealand XI |
|---|
| Tim Seifert (wk) |
| Devon Conway |
| Rachin Ravindra |
| Glenn Phillips |
| Mark Chapman |
| Daryl Mitchell |
| Mitchell Santner (c) |
| Matt Henry |
| Ish Sodhi |
| Jacob Duffy / Lockie Ferguson |
| Jack Foulkes |
Series Situation So Far
India have dominated the series with wins in:
- Nagpur – by 48 runs
- Raipur – by 7 wickets
- Guwahati – by 8 wickets
With a 3–0 lead, India are now eyeing a clean sweep, while New Zealand look to restore some pride in the final two matches.
Ishan Kishan’s absence is temporary, and there are no major injury concerns. The decision reflects India’s cautious approach as they fine-tune combinations and manage player fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, where India will defend their title.
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