IND vs NZ: Kuldeep Yadav Likely to Replace Injured Axar Patel in Second T20

• Axar Patel sustained a finger injury in the first T20 against New Zealand, making him doubtful for the second match.
• Kuldeep Yadav is a strong contender to replace Axar, given his impressive T20I record and recent Asia Cup performance.
• Kuldeep has taken 90 wickets in 50 T20 International matches and was India's most successful bowler in Asia Cup 2025 with 17 wickets.
• Harshit Rana is another option, offering both pace bowling and batting capabilities, having scored a half-century in a recent ODI.
• Shreyas Iyer is in the squad but is unlikely to feature in the playing eleven for the second T20 match.

Why It Matters: Kuldeep Yadav is expected to replace the injured Axar Patel in India's playing XI for the second T20.