Double Injury Blow for BLACKCAPS as Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman Ruled Out of India ODI Series

New Zealand lose two key batters ahead of Wednesday’s opening ODI at Eden Park, with Henry Nicholls, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Fisher and Tim Seifert brought into the revised squad arrangements.

By Webfit News Sports Desk | Auckland | 2 November 2026

The BLACKCAPS have suffered a double injury setback ahead of their five-match One Day International (ODI) series against India, with Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman ruled out as they continue recovering from shoulder and hamstring injuries respectively.

New Zealand Cricket confirmed the changes on Monday, just two days before the opening ODI at Auckland’s Eden Park on Wednesday, 4 November.

The injuries have prompted several adjustments to New Zealand’s squad, with Henry Nicholls, Dean Foxcroft, Matt Fisher and Tim Seifert taking on expanded roles across the series.

Captain Mitchell Santner will lead the BLACKCAPS as they look to respond following India’s 3–2 victory in the recently concluded T20 international series.

Ravindra’s Shoulder Injury Raises Concerns Ahead of Test Series

Rachin Ravindra will miss the entire ODI series as he continues recovering from a right shoulder injury.

According to New Zealand Cricket, the shoulder has not recovered sufficiently for Ravindra to field comfortably in white-ball cricket.

The decision to withdraw him is also influenced by the upcoming Test series later this month, with the team management unwilling to risk aggravating the injury.

BLACKCAPS head coach Rob Walter acknowledged the disappointment of losing two important players.

“Everyone knows what an asset Mark and Rachin are to this side so it’s a shame they have to miss this series,” Walter said.

Addressing Ravindra’s recovery, Walter explained that the coaching and medical teams were taking a cautious approach.

“With Rachin, 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.”

Ravindra’s absence removes an important batting option from New Zealand’s ODI plans, while his spin bowling also provides valuable flexibility in team selection.

Mark Chapman Requires Two More Weeks of Rehabilitation

Mark Chapman has also been ruled out of the five-match series after a recent MRI confirmed that his left hamstring requires approximately another two weeks of rehabilitation.

The injury means Chapman will remain unavailable while he works towards returning to full fitness.

Walter said he had spoken with Chapman recently and confirmed that the batter was disappointed to miss the series.

“I caught up with Mark last week and although he’s disappointed he’s working hard to get back on the field.”

Chapman’s absence further reduces New Zealand’s batting options, particularly in the middle order.

With both Chapman and Ravindra unavailable, the selectors have turned to players with domestic and international experience to strengthen the squad.

Henry Nicholls Returns Following Ford Trophy Century

Henry Nicholls has been called into the squad for the opening three ODIs against India.

The experienced left-handed batter returns following an impressive domestic performance for Canterbury, where he scored 119 runs against the Wellington Firebirds in the Ford Trophy.

The innings marked Nicholls’ 13th List A century and provided a timely reminder of his ability in the 50-over format.

His inclusion gives New Zealand an experienced batting option during the opening phase of the series.

Nicholls will be available for the first three matches, including Wednesday’s series opener at Eden Park.

Dean Foxcroft Included for Final Two ODIs

Dean Foxcroft will join the BLACKCAPS for the fourth and fifth ODIs.

Foxcroft is currently involved in the New Zealand A red-ball series against India A and will link up with the ODI squad once those commitments conclude.

Walter welcomed his inclusion, noting that Foxcroft had recently featured in New Zealand’s ODI matches against the West Indies.

“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,” Walter said.

Foxcroft’s selection provides another batting option for the latter stages of the series.

Tim Seifert and Matt Fisher Available for Entire Series

Two further adjustments have been made to New Zealand’s squad arrangements.

Wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert, originally selected only for the fourth and fifth ODIs, will now be available throughout the five-match series.

The change gives New Zealand additional flexibility in its wicketkeeping and batting combinations.

Fast bowler Matt Fisher will also remain with the squad for the entire series, rather than joining only for the final two matches as initially planned.

Fisher’s extended involvement provides additional bowling cover as New Zealand manages player availability and workload.

Meanwhile, experienced fast bowler Matt Henry is assembling with the squad in Auckland on Monday.

Henry’s readiness to play will be assessed before the opening match.

His availability could be an important factor in New Zealand’s bowling plans, particularly as the side looks to establish early momentum in the ODI series.

Updated BLACKCAPS Squad for ODIs 1–3

Captain: Mitchell Santner

• Mitchell Santner (Captain)
• Michael Bracewell
• Devon Conway
• Jacob Duffy
• Matt Henry
• Kyle Jamieson
• Tom Latham (Wicketkeeper)
• Daryl Mitchell
• Henry Nicholls
• Glenn Phillips
• Tim Seifert
• Nathan Smith
• Will Young
• Blair Tickner

Updated BLACKCAPS Squad for ODIs 4–5

Captain: Mitchell Santner

• Mitchell Santner (Captain)
• Finn Allen
• Michael Bracewell
• Kristian Clarke
• Jacob Duffy
• Matt Fisher
• Dean Foxcroft
• Lockie Ferguson
• Mitch Hay (Wicketkeeper)
• Nick Kelly
• Tim Seifert (Wicketkeeper)
• Blair Tickner
• Will Young

Eden Park Set to Host Series Opener

The BLACKCAPS assemble in Auckland on Monday ahead of Wednesday’s opening ODI at Eden Park.

The series follows an entertaining five-match T20 contest in which India secured the series with three consecutive victories before New Zealand responded by winning the final two matches.

Those late victories provided encouragement for the BLACKCAPS, but the ODI series presents a different challenge, particularly with changes to the available playing group.

The absence of Ravindra and Chapman places greater responsibility on New Zealand’s remaining established batters, including Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and captain Mitchell Santner.

The selectors will also need to assess their bowling combinations, with Matt Henry’s fitness still to be determined.

For New Zealand, the immediate priority will be establishing a competitive combination while ensuring injured players are given sufficient time to recover.

A Test of New Zealand’s Squad Depth

Losing two established international players immediately before a major series is far from ideal.

However, the return of Nicholls and the inclusion of Foxcroft, alongside the expanded availability of Seifert and Fisher, give the BLACKCAPS several options.

Nicholls brings experience and recent domestic form, while Foxcroft offers another opportunity for New Zealand to assess its batting depth.

Seifert’s availability throughout the series also provides greater flexibility in the top order and wicketkeeping department.

Much will depend on how quickly the revised squad settles into its combinations and whether New Zealand can carry the momentum of its final two T20 victories into the 50-over format.

With India arriving as T20 series winners, Wednesday’s opening ODI at Eden Park will provide an early indication of how the BLACKCAPS respond to their latest selection challenges.

The first ODI between New Zealand and India takes place at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

Tickets are available through tickets.nzc.nz.

Source: New Zealand Cricket / BLACKCAPS official squad update.

Webfit News Sports Desk | Auckland, New Zealand