New Zealand will walk into the ODI series against India without two of their most important white-ball players. Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman have both been ruled out through injury, just two days before the five-match series begins in Auckland on November 4.
The announcement, confirmed by New Zealand Cricket on Monday morning, changes the shape of the tour. India have just wrapped up the T20I series 3-2, and the ODIs were expected to be a fresh contest. Now the visitors must regroup, while India will sense an opening in the first game.
Why Ravindra and Chapman are out
Ravindra, the left-handed all-rounder who has become central to New Zealand’s plans across formats, is still recovering from a shoulder injury. The injury happened during a promotional shoot before the tour, and although he has been working his way back, team management decided he is not yet ready to field comfortably in white-ball cricket.
Chapman, meanwhile, is dealing with a hamstring strain. MRI scans have shown he needs at least another two weeks of rehabilitation, which rules him out of the entire ODI series.
Head coach Rob Walter did not hide the disappointment. “Everyone knows what an asset Mark and Rachin are to this side, so it’s a shame they have to miss this series,” he said. On Chapman, Walter added that the batter is disappointed but working hard to get back. On Ravindra, he was clear about the thinking: with a Test series to come later this month, New Zealand do not want to take any undue risks.
Who steps in for New Zealand
The reshuffle brings familiar names back into the frame, along with a new opportunity at the end of the series.
- Tim Seifert, first named only for the fourth and fifth matches, will now be available for all five ODIs. His form makes that a significant boost: he scored 93 off 50 balls in the final T20I in Hamilton on Sunday.
- Henry Nicholls has been called up for the first three ODIs, days after scoring his 13th List A century for Canterbury in the Ford Trophy. Walter described him as no stranger to this side.
- Dean Foxcroft joins for the last two ODIs, after recently featuring in the ODIs against the West Indies.
Mitchell Santner continues as captain. For the first three games, the squad also includes Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Will Young, among others. The squad for the final two matches then changes, with Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Mitch Hay coming in alongside Foxcroft and Seifert.
What it means for the series
Ravindra’s absence is the bigger blow. He offers balance that is hard to replace: a top-order batter who can also bowl useful left-arm spin. Chapman, meanwhile, has been a reliable middle-order option in white-ball cricket, and his power against spin is missed on turning tracks.
For India, the timing is helpful but not decisive. New Zealand still have a strong core, led by Santner, with Phillips in outstanding form after a fine T20I series. The visitors also know these conditions well after a long tour, and their bowling attack remains competitive.
The series schedule gives both teams little breathing room. After Auckland on November 4, the action moves to Wellington and Hamilton for the second and third games, before the final two ODIs in Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15. With the two-match Test series following later in November, and counting towards the World Test Championship, New Zealand’s priority is clear: get Ravindra fit for the red-ball games rather than rush him back for the ODIs.
A series that still has plenty at stake
Even with two stars missing, this is no dead rubber. India will want to carry their T20I momentum into the 50-over format, while New Zealand will want to show their depth. Seifert’s promotion is a chance to press for a regular ODI spot, and Nicholls has a familiar role to fill at the top of the order.
The first ODI in Auckland will tell us quickly how much the injuries matter. If New Zealand’s replacements settle fast, the series could still go the distance. If not, India will fancy their chances of an early lead.
FAQs
Why are Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman out of the ODI series?
Ravindra is recovering from a shoulder injury and is not yet fit to field comfortably, while Chapman has a hamstring strain that needs at least two more weeks of rehabilitation.
When does the India vs New Zealand ODI series start?
The five-match series starts in Auckland on November 4, with further games in Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui.
Who has replaced Ravindra and Chapman?
Tim Seifert is now available for all five matches, Henry Nicholls joins for the first three ODIs, and Dean Foxcroft comes in for the last two.
Will Ravindra play the Test series?
New Zealand say he should return for the two-Test series later in November, which is why they are not rushing him back for the ODIs.
Who captains New Zealand in the ODI series?
Mitchell Santner leads the side.
The ODI series starts on Wednesday in Auckland, and for New Zealand, the next few days will be about proving that their squad depth can cover for two missing stars.
