Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra are out of New Zealand's ODI series against India due to injuries. Tim Seifert, Henry Nicholls, and Dean Foxcroft have been called up as replacements. Get the full squad details and injury updates.
New Zealand's cricket team has been dealt a significant blow ahead of their five-match ODI series against India. Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra have been ruled out due to injuries, forcing the selectors to make some changes to the squad. Let's dive into the details and see how the team is shaping up.
### Injury Updates on Chapman and Ravindra
Mark Chapman's left hamstring injury, sustained at the European T20 Premier League in September, will keep him out for at least two more weeks. An MRI scan confirmed the extent of the damage, and the team is being cautious with his recovery. Rachin Ravindra, on the other hand, is dealing with a right shoulder issue that he picked up during a promotional shoot in September. He's not yet able to field at full capacity, and with a Test series against India looming later this month, New Zealand is mindful of his workload.
Head coach Rob Walter expressed the team's disappointment but remains optimistic. "Chapman is working hard to get back on the field," Walter said. "We had a good chat last week, and he's doing everything he can. With Ravindra, we just don't want to take any unnecessary risks with the Test series coming up."
### New Zealand Squad Changes for India ODIs
To fill the void, New Zealand has called up Tim Seifert, Henry Nicholls, and Dean Foxcroft. Seifert, who was initially only slated for the last two ODIs, will now be available for the entire series. Nicholls, who turns 35 this month, joins for the first three matches and comes in with good form, having scored 119 for Canterbury in the Ford Trophy on Saturday. Foxcroft, currently playing in the red-ball series between New Zealand A and India A, will link up with the squad for the final two games.
Matthew Fisher, initially picked for the last two ODIs only, has been included for the full series as an additional bowling option. Matt Henry, who was ruled out midway through the T20I series against India, joined the ODI squad on Monday, and the team management will assess his fitness before the first match.
### New Zealand's Updated ODI Squad
The squad for the first three ODIs is as follows:
- Mitchell Santner (captain)
- Michael Bracewell
- Devon Conway
- Jacob Duffy
- Matthew Fisher
- Matt Henry
- Kyle Jamieson
- Tom Latham (wicketkeeper)
- Daryl Mitchell
- Henry Nicholls
- Glenn Phillips
- Tim Seifert
- Nathan Smith
- Will Young
- Blair Tickner
For the last two ODIs, the squad includes:
- Mitchell Santner (captain)
- Finn Allen
- Michael Bracewell
- Kristian Clarke
- Jacob Duffy
- Matthew Fisher
- Dean Foxcroft
- Lockie Ferguson
- Mitchell Hay (wicketkeeper)
- Nick Kelly
- Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper)
- Blair Tickner
- Will Young
The first ODI is set to take place at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4. India's squad has also seen changes, with Ishan Kishan named vice-captain for the fourth and fifth ODIs once the Test players depart to join the red-ball group.
New Zealand will be hoping their replacements can step up and deliver in what promises to be an exciting series against a strong Indian side. Stay tuned for more updates!