Ishan Kishan will not feature in India's second T20I against New Zealand on Saturday after suffering a groin strain.
The BCCI confirmed on Friday morning that the 28-year-old had sustained a right adductor strain during the series opener in Christchurch on Thursday. Kishan, who made just one in India's four-wicket victory, dropped down to five in the batting order due to the injury, with Tilak Varma deputising at three.
His absence could pave the way for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to return to the XI.
"Ishan Kishan has a niggle in his groin," India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak told the media. "I know there was speculation [about the change in the batting order] but it wasn't a change as such. It was because of the groin strain [to Kishan]. I think he is unlikely for one game."
Sooryavanshi is by far the likeliest candidate to replace Kishan in the lineup after India's last four T20Is from the sidelines.
The left-handed opener had one of the all-time great IPL seasons earlier this year; scoring the most runs (776), hitting the most sixes (72), winning the Emerging Player award and being named MVP.
While he has struggled at times since making his international debut, he still averages more than 30 for his country, striking at 186.36. Sooryavanshi's last appearance for India came in the final of the Asian Games against Pakistan, where he made 15.
His inclusion would likely see him partner Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order, leaving Sanju Samson to slide down to three.
Sooryavanshi is 9/2 to be the highest run scorer in the match that takes place on Saturday 24th October, starting at 08:00 BST.
Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.
