Ishan Kishan will miss India's third T20I against New Zealand due to an adductor strain. His absence leaves India searching for firepower at No.

3 after Tilak Varma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi struggled to make an impact in the role.Kishan's absence has been felt at No.3 for India (Courtesy: PTI)India have suffered a setback on the injury front during their ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, with wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan set to miss the third match as well. India Today has learnt that the left-hander, who was unavailable for the second T20I because of a low-grade strain in his right adductor, has not recovered in time for the next fixture.Kishan's continued absence leaves India without one of their most aggressive batting options.

His ability to attack from the outset and contribute across the top and middle order had offered the team valuable flexibility, making the latest injury update a concern for India's combination going forward.INDIA MISSING KISHAN AT NO.3The biggest issue with Kishan being out of the side is the power that is missing in the No.3 spot. In the first game, Kishan came in at No.5 due to the issue and Tilak Varma was promoted to the No.3 slot.But Tilak failed to make the desired impact during the match, falling for 6 off just 11 balls.

In the second match, India brought in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the role, but the 15-year-old couldn't make the desired impact. Sooryavanshi fell for just 4 off 8 balls in the second T20I.

Since returning to the Indian team, Kishan has mainly operated in the top order with great success.Kishan has scored 1159 runs from 35 matches with an average of 36.21 and a strike-rate of 171.44. In this, he has scored 884 runs at No.3 in 26 innings.

India did rope in Kishan's Jharkhand teammate Kumar Kushagra as the cover for the wicketkeeper-batter. The medical team is keeping a close eye on Kishan's fitness and recovery at this time.

India will be hoping that they will have the services of Kishan by the time that the action moves to Auckland on Friday, October 30.- Ends