New Zealand Cricket ruled Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra out of the 5-match ODI series against India in its 2 November squad update. Injuries have changed both groups of the split squad before the teams meet in Auckland.
Injuries reshape the New Zealand squad
NZC says Chapman is still recovering from a left hamstring injury. A recent MRI showed he needs another two weeks of rehabilitation before returning to the field. Ravindra's right shoulder also requires more recovery time before he can field at full capacity, according to the same update. Neither will be available for the India ODI series.
Tim Seifert was originally selected only for the final part of the series. NZC now has him available throughout. Henry Nicholls joins for the opening three games and Dean Foxcroft for the last two. The changes place experienced and newer batting options into different phases of the schedule rather than simply replacing both absentees in one fixed group.
NZC says Matt Fisher, initially selected for the closing games, will remain with the squad throughout as an additional bowling option. Matt Henry has assembled with the group but is still to be assessed for readiness to play. NZC head coach Rob Walter said: “Everyone knows what an asset Mark and Rachin are to this side.” Walter also cited Ravindra's fielding comfort and the Test series later this month when explaining the decision to avoid further risk.
How the revised list differs from the original
SportsRivo compared NZC's 10 October initial call-up with its 2 November revision. Ravindra had been listed for the opening ODIs after a shoulder problem kept him out of the T20I squad; the newer injury update removes that planned return. Chapman was named in both original squad groups. Seifert, previously assigned to the later games, is now available for the whole series.
The change follows the T20I leg of India's visit, covered in SportsRivo's report on the Wellington series clincher. The ODI series uses a separate, deliberately split New Zealand squad, with some players moving to Test preparation before the tour's later one-day matches. NZC's updated list therefore affects selection at both ends of the ODI programme.
What the changes mean for selection
- Nicholls is available for the opening games in the slot vacated by the injured batters, while Foxcroft joins the later group, according to NZC's revised squad list.
- Seifert can now be considered across the entire ODI series rather than only its closing games, NZC confirms.
- Fisher provides an additional bowling option throughout; Henry's readiness remains subject to assessment, NZC says.
Auckland opens the ODI series
NZC's original schedule places the first ODI against India at Eden Park, Auckland, on 4 November. The governing body says its squad is assembling there ahead of Wednesday's match. The revised selection must be applied before that opening fixture, while Ravindra continues rehabilitation with the subsequent Test series in view.
Source: New Zealand Cricket