New Zealand players to wear special 'Kotahitanga' jersey in ODI series vs India designed by artists of both nations

“Thomason weaved Māori kōwhaiwhai patterns over a background of haehae lines to connect the living with those who have passed, honour the people who built the bond between the nations, and celebrate what it means to players, fans and those behind the scenes,” New Zealand Cricket website read.

Santner-Led Black Caps name split squad for India series

With a demanding schedule featuring five T20Is, five ODIs, and a subsequent Test series packed tightly together, New Zealand Cricket announced split squads for the ODI leg to manage player workloads effectively and prioritise preparation for the ICC World Test Championship. Because the first Test begins merely days after the conclusion of the ODI rubber, key red-ball specialists are managed out of the later stages of the ODI series.  

New Zealand Cricket has named a dynamic 21-man squad for the upcoming five-match One-Day International series against India, kicking off at Auckland’s Eden Park on November 4. Designed to balance immediate white-ball ambitions with long-term red-ball priorities, the selection strategy divides the roster into three distinct groups. Captain Mitchell Santner headlines a core group of six players, including Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Will Young, and Blair Tickner, who will remain available across the entire five-match rubber.

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To manage player workloads ahead of the pivotal Test matches that follow, eight primary red-ball specialists will featured exclusively in the opening three fixtures. Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Nathan Smith are all slotted for the initial phase before departing for Wellington to begin specialized Test preparations. They are joined in this first-leg contingent by star all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, who successfully earns his spot back in the ODI setup after a shoulder injury sidelined him from the preceding T20I leg.

Following the third ODI, the squad will undergo a significant transformation with seven replacement players stepping in for the final two matches. This rotation paves the way for the return of dynamic top-order batter Finn Allen, speedster Lockie Ferguson, and wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert. For Allen and Ferguson, this marks a long-awaited return to the 50-over arena, having last donned the ODI shirt in 2023—with Ferguson’s previous appearance coming during the World Cup semi-final against India in Mumbai. Seifert also returns to the fold after an 18-month hiatus from ODI cricket, joining additional call-ups Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Mitch Hay, and Nick Kelly to close out the series.

Building on the foundation of their historic 2-1 bilateral victory on Indian soil earlier this year—their first-ever ODI series win in the country—Santner’s side enters the contest with high confidence. By combining established stars for the opening fixtures with fresh talent for the backend, New Zealand aims to sustain its white-ball momentum against a formidable Indian

New Zealand squad for 1st, 2nd, 3rd ODI vs India:

Mitchell Santner (C), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Will Young, Blair Tickner

New Zealand squad for 4th, 5th ODI vs India:

Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay (WK), Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert (WK), Blair Tickner, Will Young

IND vs NZ T20I schedule: