New Zealand have lost Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra for the entire five-match ODI series against India, which begins at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, November 4. Both batters were already absent for the T20Is. The selectors have responded with several squad changes, outlined below.
Chapman and Ravindra Ruled Out: The Injury Picture
Chapman suffered a left hamstring injury in September while playing in the European T20 Premier League. An MRI scan showed he needs another two weeks of rehabilitation.
Ravindra dislocated his right shoulder during a promotional shoot in September. He has not recovered enough to field comfortably in white-ball cricket, and New Zealand are protecting him with a Test series due later this month.
| Player | Injury | Status |
|---|
| Mark Chapman | Left hamstring | Needs two more weeks of rehabilitation |
| Rachin Ravindra | Dislocated right shoulder | Not fit to field at full capacity |
| Matt Henry | Low-grade right quadriceps tear | Fitness and match readiness under assessment |
Coach Rob Walter's Position
Head coach Rob Walter said, 'Everyone knows what an asset Mark and Rachin are to this side so it's a shame they have to miss this series.' He added that Chapman is working hard to return.
On Ravindra, Walter said the team does not want to take 'any undue risks' with the Test series approaching.
Updated Squads: Who Comes In
Tim Seifert was first picked for only the final two ODIs. He is now available for all five after scoring 93 in the final T20I against India. Matthew Fisher has also been added for the whole series as an extra bowling option.
Henry Nicholls joins the squad for the first three ODIs. He scored 119 while opening for Canterbury in the Ford Trophy on Saturday and has played 92 ODIs. Dean Foxcroft joins for the last two matches after finishing his red-ball duties with New Zealand A against India A.
| Player | Availability | Reason for selection |
|---|
| Tim Seifert | All five ODIs | 93 in the final T20I against India |
| Henry Nicholls | First three ODIs | 119 for Canterbury in the Ford Trophy; 92 ODIs played |
| Dean Foxcroft | Last two ODIs | Joins after New Zealand A duty against India A |
| Matthew Fisher | All five ODIs | Additional bowling option |
Matt Henry's Return
Matt Henry joined the squad on Monday after missing the final three T20Is with a low-grade right quadriceps tear. He is named for the first three ODIs, but management will assess his fitness before confirming his availability.
Squad Composition by Phase
The two squads differ in size and in the balance of experience. The first-three squad has 15 players, while the last-two squad has 13. Seven players appear in both: Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Tim Seifert, Blair Tickner and Will Young.
| Phase | Squad size | Captain | Wicketkeepers named |
|---|
| First three ODIs | 15 | Mitchell Santner | Tom Latham, Tim Seifert |
| Last two ODIs | 13 | Mitchell Santner | Mitchell Hay, Tim Seifert |
Key Names in Each Group
The first three matches feature the more established group. It includes Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Kyle Jamieson and Henry.
The last two matches draw on a different pool. It includes Finn Allen, Kristian Clarke, Lockie Ferguson, Nick Kelly and Mitchell Hay.
Context: Form Going Into the Series
New Zealand, led by Santner, lost the first three T20Is against India and won the last two. The ODI series gives them a chance to extend that late momentum.
The loss of Chapman and Ravindra removes two batting options from the middle order. Seifert's 93 and Nicholls' 119 in domestic cricket give the selectors form-backed replacements.
What to Watch
The main questions are Henry's fitness and how the batting order is rebalanced without the two absentees. Seifert's role is also open, as he could play as a batter or as a second wicketkeeper option alongside Latham.