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BLACKCAPS name 16-man squad for India T20Is; Rachin Ravindra ruled out

A seven-strong pace attack features in the first BLACKCAPS squad of the home summer, with Mitchell Santner named to lead a 16-man side for the five-match T20I series against India beginning on October 22.

The squad includes 13 players who were part of New Zealand’s run to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final earlier this year, while Adam Milne and Michael Bracewell return after missing the tournament through injury.

Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out of the T20I series after dislocating his right shoulder during a promotional shoot last week.

His rehabilitation is expected to take around six weeks, with New Zealand Cricket hoping he will be available for the ODI series against India beginning at Eden Park on November 4.

Milne, 34, returns to the BLACKCAPS more than a year after his last international appearance against Zimbabwe.

He joins an experienced pace group featuring Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy, alongside Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith.

Ben Sears was not considered for selection as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.

The series will also reunite Tim Seifert and Finn Allen at the top of the order following their performances during the T20 World Cup.

Allen scored an unbeaten century from 33 balls against South Africa in the semi-final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, while Seifert contributed 58 from 33 as New Zealand completed a nine-wicket victory in the 13th over.

Seifert also enters the home summer after being named player of the tournament in The Hundred, where he scored 394 runs at a strike rate of 168 for the victorious Manchester Super Giants, including 72 from 38 balls in the final.

BLACKCAPS head coach Rob Walter said the home series against India presented a major challenge.

“It’s going to be awesome to welcome India to our shores and get summer underway,” said Walter.

“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.”

Walter said the team was disappointed to lose Ravindra for the T20I series but remained hopeful he could return for the ODIs.

“We’re gutted for Rachin,” he 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."

The 16-player squad will also give New Zealand flexibility to manage its fast bowlers through a heavy schedule.

The BLACKCAPS have 16 white-ball matches and eight Tests scheduled between October and February.

“Our priority is winning games and putting the best team on the park, but we also have to keep in mind the volume of cricket in the coming months.

“We’re very fortunate with the depth that we’ve got to call upon, so we’ll look to use all 16 squad members throughout the series as we manage workloads.”

The five-match T20I series begins at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 22, with the second match also played at the venue on October 24.

The remaining matches will be played in Wellington on October 27, Auckland on October 30 and Hamilton on November 1.

The opening match will be the first meeting between the two teams since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in March.

The T20I series forms part of a 12-match India tour that also includes five ODIs and two Tests.

More than 76,000 tickets have already been sold across the tour, according to New Zealand Cricket.

The home summer will also mark Sky New Zealand’s return as host broadcaster of NZC home internationals under a new six-season partnership.

Sport Nation will continue as the free-to-air audio broadcaster, while the Alternative Commentary Collective will cover BLACKCAPS matches through its digital channels.

BLACKCAPS T20I squad v India

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

The squad includes 13 players who were part of New Zealand’s run to the ICC Men’s T20 World...