New Zealand suffered a double injury blow two days before the start of their home one-day series against India, with Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra both ruled out of the five-match contest.
New Zealand Cricket confirmed the withdrawals on Monday, 2 November 2026, as the squad assembled in Auckland for the series opener at Eden Park on Wednesday, 4 November. Chapman and Ravindra will miss the entire one-day series, forcing head coach Rob Walter to reshape a squad that had already been split across the two legs of the series.
Why the news matters is that it removes two left-handed batters from a side trying to bounce back after losing the preceding Twenty20 series against India 3-2. Ravindra in particular had been expected to be a central figure with both bat and ball, and his absence changes the balance of the top order and the spin-bowling options available to captain Mitchell Santner.
Chapman continues to recover from a left hamstring injury suffered during his stint in the European T20 Premier League in September, according to New Zealand Cricket. A recent MRI scan showed that he needs at least two more weeks of rehabilitation before he can return to full fitness, which rules him out of the whole one-day series.
Ravindra, meanwhile, is still working his way back from the right shoulder injury he suffered during a promotional shoot in September. That injury had already kept him out of the Twenty20 leg of India’s tour, and New Zealand Cricket said his shoulder has not recovered enough for him to field comfortably in white-ball cricket.
Walter said the decision on Ravindra was driven by the longer schedule ahead, not just this series. “His shoulder hasn’t quite recovered to a position where he could field comfortably in white-ball cricket, so with the Test series later this month we don’t want to take any undue risks,” he said, according to reports of the squad announcement.
Chapman’s case is more straightforward. Hamstring injuries demand patience, and the scan result left no room for a short-term return, so New Zealand moved quickly to finalise replacements rather than wait on his fitness.
Squad changes
Wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert, who had originally been selected only for the final two one-day internationals, will now stay with the squad for the full series. Experienced left-handed batter Henry Nicholls has been drafted in for the first three matches, while all-rounder Dean Foxcroft will join the group for the final two games after completing New Zealand A’s red-ball series against India A.
Walter welcomed both additions, saying the replacements were ready to step straight into international cricket. “We’re pleased to bring in Henry, who is no stranger to this side, and Dean who recently featured in the ODIs against the West Indies,” he said.
Nicholls arrives in form, having scored 119 for Canterbury in the Ford Trophy against the Wellington Firebirds on Saturday. Foxcroft offers recent one-day experience against the West Indies and a spell with New Zealand A to keep him match-ready.
Matt Fisher, originally named only for the last two matches, will also remain with the squad for the entire series as additional bowling cover.
Fast bowler Matt Henry is another fitness question for the opening match. He missed the final three Twenty20 internationals against India with a low-grade tear in his right quadriceps, and although he has rejoined the group in Auckland, his availability for the Eden Park opener will be assessed.
Updated New Zealand squads
New Zealand’s squad for the first three one-day internationals is: 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 and Blair Tickner.
For the final two matches, the squad is: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert, Blair Tickner and Will Young.
New Zealand had already been forced to adapt during this tour, with Ravindra’s shoulder problem keeping him out of the Twenty20 series, which India won 3-2, and Chapman sidelined since September.
What is confirmed is the schedule and the revised squads. New Zealand assembled in Auckland on Monday, 2 November, the first one-day international will be played at Eden Park on Wednesday, 4 November, and no return date has been set for either Chapman or Ravindra beyond their ongoing rehabilitation. Whether Henry is fit for the opener will be decided after assessment, and the make-up of the starting eleven will only become clear once New Zealand have weighed conditions and fitness in Auckland.
