Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert are set to return to the BLACKCAPS ODI setup for the upcoming five-match series against India, while Rachin Ravindra will make his comeback after recovering from a shoulder injury.
The Hero Vida ODI series, powered by AI+ Nova Smartphone, begins on November 4 at Auckland’s Eden Park, with New Zealand aiming to build on its historic 2-1 ODI series victory in India in January.
White-ball captain Mitchell Santner will lead the extended squad, which will feature different line-ups for the first three matches and the final two ODIs as players are released for Test preparations.
Ravindra, who was ruled out of the T20I squad because of a shoulder injury, will return for the first three matches. Allen and Ferguson have not played an ODI since 2023, with Ferguson’s last appearance coming in the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final against India in Mumbai. Seifert last featured in an ODI during New Zealand’s home series against Pakistan around 18 months ago.
Seven additional players will join the squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs after part of the team departs for Wellington to prepare for the Test series against India.
BLACKCAPS head coach Rob Walter said the series would be important preparation for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
“First and foremost this is huge series for us, playing in front of our fans in full stadiums against a formidable Indian side,” he said.
"With the ODI World Cup just one year away it’s important for us to also view these matches as valuable preparation for that event.
“Bringing in seven players for the final ODIs allows us to test our depth and see how those players fare against a world-class side.
“Obviously every Test match is important for us in terms of championship points, which is why we’re extracting some of that squad early for additional preparation before the first Test against India at the Basin Reserve on November 19.”
Walter also welcomed the opportunity to assess the team’s depth and bring experienced players back into the ODI environment.
“We’re incredibly lucky to have the depth that we do to have 21 players involved in the series.
“It’s also great to bring guys like Lockie, Finn, and Tim back into the One Day unit. They’re all exciting and explosive players in their own right and are proven match winners.
“For Finn and Tim in particular, we’ve seen what they can do the T20 arena, and it’s now a great opportunity for them to push their case in the longer format.”
The first three ODIs will feature Mitchell Santner as captain, alongside Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Will Young and Blair Tickner.
For the fourth and fifth matches, Allen, Ferguson and Seifert will join Santner, Bracewell, Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Duffy, Matt Fisher, wicketkeeper Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly, Tickner and Young.
Zak Foulkes, Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears were not considered for selection as they continue rehabilitation for hip flexor, calf and ankle injuries respectively.
The series will also mark the final BLACKCAPS assignment for departing batting coach Luke Ronchi before he takes up the head coach role with the Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s men’s Big Bash League.
Ronchi, bowling coach Jacob Oram and strength and conditioning coach Chris Donaldson will lead Test preparations in Wellington after the third ODI. Newly appointed batting coach BJ Watling will join them, while Walter will remain with the ODI squad for the final two matches, supported by Northern Districts men’s strength and conditioning coach Corey Miles.
The 14-player Test squad to face India is expected to be announced in early November.