Christchurch: New Zealand have suffered a major setback ahead of their five-match T20I series against India, with batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra ruled out of the series due to a shoulder injury. New Zealand Cricket announced a 16-member squad on September 23, with Mitchell Santner set to lead the side.

Ravindra dislocated his right shoulder during a promotional shoot last week and is expected to spend around six weeks in rehabilitation. New Zealand are hopeful that the 26-year-old will recover in time for the three-match ODI series against India, which begins on November 4.

The T20I series will begin on October 22 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch and will be played across 11 days in four cities. The development comes as New Zealand prepare for their first meeting with India since the two sides faced each other in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in March.

Rachin Ravindra misses T20I series

Ravindra’s absence leaves a significant gap in New Zealand’s batting and all-round options. The left-handed batter has been an important part of the BlackCaps’ limited-overs setup and was among the players who featured in New Zealand’s run to the T20 World Cup final earlier this year.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said the team was disappointed by the injury but remained optimistic about Ravindra returning for the ODI series.

“We’re gutted for Rachin. He’s going to play a big role for us this summer, so it’s important that he doesn’t rush his rehab, but we’re optimistic he’ll be back for the ODIs,” Walter said.

The six-week rehabilitation period means Ravindra’s immediate focus will be on recovering fully rather than attempting to return prematurely for the T20Is.

Mitchell Santner to captain New Zealand

With Ravindra unavailable, Mitchell Santner will continue to lead New Zealand in the five-match T20I series.

Santner will have a sizeable pace attack at his disposal, with Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Nathan Smith and Adam Milne included in the squad.

The selection also marks a return to the international T20 setup for Milne, who has not played for the BlackCaps since their series against Zimbabwe more than a year ago.

The 34-year-old has 243 T20 appearances across domestic and international cricket, including 56 T20Is. His return provides New Zealand with another experienced fast-bowling option as they prepare for a demanding home series against India.

Adam Milne returns after a year

Milne’s selection is one of the notable features of New Zealand’s squad.

The fast bowler was sidelined by injury during the T20 World Cup and was subsequently unavailable for the tournament. His inclusion against India gives New Zealand another experienced option in the pace department.

He joins a group that includes Ferguson, Henry, Jamieson and Duffy, giving Santner several choices when it comes to managing the bowling attack across the five matches.

The presence of both experienced and younger fast bowlers also reflects New Zealand’s effort to maintain depth in the format.

Tim Seifert and Finn Allen reunited

New Zealand will also reunite Tim Seifert and Finn Allen at the top of the batting order.

The two openers were part of New Zealand’s T20 World Cup campaign and were particularly effective during the tournament. Their return to the top of the order gives the hosts an established opening combination for the India series.

Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips are also part of the squad, while Michael Bracewell returns after missing the T20 World Cup because of injury.

The squad therefore retains a substantial portion of the group that represented New Zealand earlier this year.

Thirteen T20 World Cup players retained

Thirteen members of the squad that finished runners-up to India in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup have been selected for the upcoming home series.

Among them are all-rounder Michael Bracewell and fast bowler Adam Milne, who missed the World Cup because of their respective injuries.

The continuity could be useful for New Zealand as they prepare to face the same opponent they encountered in the World Cup final.

For India, the series will provide another opportunity to test the T20I group against a side with considerable experience in the format.

Ben Sears continues rehabilitation

Fast bowler Ben Sears has not been considered for selection as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.

His absence means New Zealand will have to rely on the seven-man pace group named in the squad, with a mixture of experienced international bowlers and younger players.

The depth could become particularly important during a five-match series spread across four cities. The opening T20I is scheduled for Christchurch on October 22, followed by the second match at the same venue on October 24. Wellington will host the third T20I on October 27, with the remaining fixtures scheduled later in the series.

India series begins on October 22

The first T20I between New Zealand and India will take place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 22.

The second match will also be played in Christchurch on October 24, before the teams move to Wellington for the third T20I on October 27. The complete series runs across 11 days and four cities.

The series carries additional context because it will be the first meeting between the two sides since the T20 World Cup final in March.

While the World Cup final belongs to the previous tournament, the upcoming five-match series gives both teams a fresh opportunity to assess their squads and combinations ahead of the next phase of the international calendar.

Ravindra targets ODI return

For Ravindra, the immediate objective is rehabilitation rather than rushing back for the T20Is.

New Zealand’s management expects his recovery to take approximately six weeks. If rehabilitation progresses as planned, the all-rounder could return for the ODI series beginning at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4.

That timeline gives the New Zealand camp some reason for optimism, although his availability for the ODI series will ultimately depend on his recovery and fitness.

His absence from the T20Is means New Zealand will have to adjust their plans for the opening part of the home summer.

New Zealand squad for India T20Is

New Zealand’s 16-member squad for the five-match T20I series is:

Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert and Nathan Smith.

The squad combines established international players with younger options, while Milne’s return adds experience to the pace attack.

Ravindra’s absence will nevertheless be one of the major talking points when the series begins.

A key absence ahead of a high-profile series

New Zealand’s preparations for the India series have therefore been shaped by an injury setback involving one of their prominent all-rounders. Ravindra’s shoulder injury rules him out of the five T20Is, but the team is hopeful that his rehabilitation will allow him to return for the subsequent ODI series.

With Santner leading a squad containing several members of the T20 World Cup side, New Zealand will now look to settle on combinations without Ravindra before the opening match in Christchurch.

For India, the series will offer an opportunity to face a familiar opponent in a five-match T20I contest. For New Zealand, the immediate challenge will be to cover the absence of Ravindra while maintaining the balance that took them to the T20 World Cup final earlier this year.