IND vs NZ 4th T20I: Just moments before the toss in Visakhapatnam, the Indian team sheet revealed a shocker. This news stuns the cricket world. An unspecified “niggle” forces Ishan Kishan to sit out. This comes after he crushed opposition bowlers all through the series. Such a sudden move really gets people talking. Consistency is hard to find in international cricket. Teams rarely mess with a winning lineup without a massive reason.
IND vs NZ 4th T20I: The Real Reason Ishan Kishan Was Suddenly Dropped In Vizag
Fans and pundits immediately start doubting this minor injury. They wonder if something is happening behind the scenes. While the official statement behind Ishan Kishan’s drop mentions medical reasons, the timing looks like a calculated call from the team management. We have to look closely at this move. It could be a simple safety measure. Or, it might be a tricky tactical gamble just days before the big tournament.
Try out all the specialist bowlers, and especially Ravi Bishnoi
A closer look at the Vizag pitch offers the first clue. The track always helps spinners. This presents a tough test compared to the batting tracks earlier in the series. Maybe the coaching staff decided to keep their star opener away from a potential failure on a turning deck.
This would keep his confidence high right before the World Cup. Management often protects key players from conditions that might show their weaknesses. Ishan Kishan’s aggressive style is risky on slower pitches. So, this “rest” makes sure he enters the major tournament with his head held high.
Chances to struggling Sanju Samson
On top of that, the situation gave a chance to Sanju Samson. He is a player who is not in the run-scoring form. By dropping Ishan Kishan, the selectors created a perfect moment for the Kerala-born to take responsibility and not make it Ishan Kishan vs Sanju Samson pressure.
They gave Samson one last full game as a keeper-opener to show what he can do. This theory makes sense when you consider the questions around the backup wicket-keeper spot. The team needed clear answers on Samson’s readiness. A dead rubber provides the perfect spot for such experiments.
Niggle being real:
However, a worse possibility looms if the reported “niggle” is actually real rather than a story. If Ishan Kishan really got injured during warm-ups, India face a huge problem. The Pakistan clash is merely two weeks away. The squad lacks a ready backup opener who can start the innings just as fast.
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This leaves the top order open to trouble against a high-quality pace attack. In the end, this sudden change in Vizag is not just a minor team sheet adjustment. It is a decision that could make or break India’s immediate World Cup dreams.
