Rachin Ravindra Ruled Out of India T20Is Due to Injury

New Zealand’s home summer will start without one of its brightest sparks. Rachin Ravindra, the breakout star of recent seasons, has been ruled out of the T20I series against India after dislocating his right shoulder during a promotional shoot.

It is a brutal twist for a player earmarked for a central role over the coming months. Medical staff expect his rehabilitation to take around six weeks, with New Zealand targeting his return for the ODI series against India beginning on November 4.

“We’re gutted for Rachin,” head coach Rob Walter said. “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.”

No Ravindra, no Sears – but plenty of firepower

Ravindra is not the only absentee. Ben Sears, still recovering from an ankle injury, was also unavailable for selection as New Zealand confirmed a 16-man squad for the three-match T20I series starting October 22.

The core of the group is familiar. Thirteen players from the squad that finished runners-up to India at this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup return, a sign of continuity and trust in a group that pushed the current world champions deep into the tournament.

Among them are Michael Bracewell and Adam Milne, both back in the frame after their own injury setbacks. For Milne, the recall ends a long wait; he last played for New Zealand more than a year ago, against Zimbabwe. Now he slots into a pace unit that looks anything but undercooked.

A pace attack built for home conditions

Milne joins a seam battery stacked with variety and speed: Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith. On New Zealand pitches, that group has the tools to ask hard questions of any batting lineup, including India’s.

Mitchell Santner will captain the side, offering left-arm spin and lower-order nous, with Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Tim Seifert forming a powerful batting core. Michael Bracewell’s all-round skills and the inclusion of Bevon Jacobs deepen the options further.

New Zealand squad for India T20Is:

• Mitchell Santner (C)
• 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
• Nathan Smith

Sold-out crowds, world champions in town

Walter knows exactly what is coming: India, the reigning T20 world champions, arriving with form, depth and a massive following.

“It’s going to be awesome to welcome India to our shores and get summer underway,” Walter said. “India is a quality team and a challenging opposition, so to take them on in our own conditions in front of Kiwi fans is really exciting. We hear most of the games are going to be sold-out and it should make for some incredible occasions.

“We’ve got a near full-strength squad that covers all bases and I’m excited to see how we compete against the current T20 world champions.”

So New Zealand will walk out without Ravindra, one of their most dynamic modern cricketers, but with a squad that still bristles with experience and intent. India arrive as champions. The stadiums will be packed.

For the Black Caps, this isn’t just the start of a home summer. It’s an early measure of how close they are to the very best.