New Zealand has suffered a major setback ahead of the five-match ODI series against India starting November 4, 2026, in Auckland. All-rounder Rachin Ravindra and middle-order batter Mark Chapman have been ruled out of the entire series due to ongoing injuries, leaving the squad scrambling for replacements.
Injury Blows Rule Out Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman
The hosts head into the 50-over contests following a 3-2 defeat in the preceding T20I series against India. Mitigating that disappointment has turned into an urgent selection challenge for head coach Rob Walter after medical evaluations confirmed neither Ravindra nor Chapman recovered in time.
Chapman sustained a left hamstring injury while competing in the European T20 Premier League. Subsequent MRI scans revealed he requires an additional two weeks of rehabilitation to reach full fitness. New Zealand Cricket officially announced that this extended recovery timeline keeps him sidelined from the upcoming matches against India.
Ravindra’s injury occurred outside of match play during a promotional photo shoot, where his right shoulder joint dislocated. Although he has been progressing through rehabilitation, he remains unable to field cleanly in limited-overs competition. Having previously missed the entire T20I series, he must now sit out the 50-over games as well.
Everyone knows how important Mark and Rachin are for our team. So, not having them in this series is really disappointing. Rob
Squad Adjustments and Fitness Questions Over Fast Bowlers
To counter the batting losses, New Zealand selectors expanded several player roles. Wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert, initially slated only for the final two games after hitting 93 runs off 50 balls in the final T20I, has been retained for the entire five-match duration. Henry Nicholls enters the squad for the opening three matches following his 13th List A century—a 119-run innings for Canterbury against Wellington in the Ford Trophy—while all-rounder Dean Foxcroft joins for the final two fixtures.
Pacer Matt Fisher also joins the squad as an additional bowling option from the start of the series. Lockie Ferguson also previously sustained a right calf strain during the second T20I in Christchurch, requiring a week of rest.
New Zealand ODI Squads
| Series Segment | Selected Players |
|---|---|
| First Three ODIs | Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Will Young, Blair Tickner |
| Final Two ODIs | Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Christian Clark, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Lockie Ferguson, Mitchell Hay, Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert, Blair Tickner, Will Young |
