New Zealand were set to field a near-full strength squad for the five-T20I series against India but they have suffered fresh injury setbacks. All-rounders Mark Chapman and Zakary Foulkes have been ruled out of the T20I series due to their respective injuries. Chapman faced a left hamstring tear while playing in the inaugural edition of European T20 premier League while representing Belfast Wolves whereas Foulkes face a right hip flexor injury while training for his domestic side Canterbury.
"I’m gutted for Mark and Zak and I wish them both a smooth recovery,” New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said.
“We’re fortunate to be able to lean on the expertise of Josh and Blair.
"I know they’re both very excited to be involved in what’s shaping up to be an epic T20 series.”
Who will replace Chapman, Foulkes?
All-rounder Josh Clarkson and pacer Blair Tickner have been called as reinforcements for the T20I series. Clarkson was part of a second-string squad New Zealand fielded against Bangladesh during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Tickner is set to play a T20I after more than three years. Last year, he faced a shoulder injury which sidelined him from action. Tickner's previous T20I appearance was against Pakistan where he was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 33 runs.
Clarkson and Tickner’s T20I numbers
Clarkson had made his T20I debut in February 2024 against Australia. He has played 13 T20Is so far and scored 151 runs at an average of 25.16 and strike rate of 132.4. With the ball, the medium pacer has three wickets at an average of 43.33. But, his economy rate of 6.19 runs per over is outstanding. The 29-year-old hasn't played any T20 franchise cricket in two years.
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Tickner had made his T20I debut against India in February 2019 where he dismissed Rishabh Pant. From 18 T20Is, he has claimed 19 wickets at an average of 28.21 featuring a four-wicket haul he bagged against Netherlands in 2022.
Other injured players who will miss T20I series
Batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra continues to be on the sidelines. Ravindra had suffered a shoulder injury during a promotional shoot in India. Sears is yet to regain full fitness after his ankle injury.
New Zealand’s updated T20I squad
Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Josh Clarkson, Blair Tickner.
Bhuvi back in India T20I squad
Meanwhile, India have recalled experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the T20I squad after a long absence. He will lead India's pace attack alongside Arshdeep Singh in Jasprit Bumrah's absence. The squad is also missing Washington Sundar who will turn his focus to red-ball cricket ahead of the two-Test series. It has led to Naman Dhir retaining his place in the side after an impressive T20I debut against West Indies where he claimed three wickets. The only player dropped from T20I squad is Ravi Bishnoi who makes way for a fit-again Varun Chakaravarthy.
"One thing obviously is it's the selectors' choice. But still I can give you an answer about what I think: in England, I also personally felt - with Bumrah not being around and all - the new bowlers, the young bowlers were playing, and we all know that you can't beat experience. They are also good but at some stage you need experience. So I'm just thinking that might be one reason," said India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Bhuvneshwar’s selection.
"Selectors must have thought that for New Zealand conditions, we need some experience. That's why they must have picked him. That's what I can think of," he added.
The T20I series can be a make or break from Bhuvneshwar who is now 36 years old. If he performs well, he can be on selectors’ radar for the ODI World Cup 2027 in South African conditions as well.
India’s T20I squad for New Zealand series
Shreyas Iyer (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma (vc), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.
WTC winner returns as batting coach
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has named inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) 2019-21 final-winning wicketkeeper BJ Watling as successor of outgoing batting coach Luke Ronchi. Watling will not be featuring in New Zealand dressing room during the T20I series. He will join them before the Test series as part of transition as Ronchi’s tenure ends with the completion of India’s long tour of New Zealand. Watling’s first major assignment will be the four-Test series on Australian soil.
India vs New Zealand T20I series schedule
The five-T20I series will begin on October 22 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. On October 24, the second T20I will be played at the same venue. The third T20I will be played at Wellington's Sky Stadium on October 27. Then, Auckland's Eden Park will host the fourth T20I on October 30. The final game of the T20I series will be played on November 1 at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
New Zealand's big guns available
Finn Allen and Tim Seifert will open for New Zealand for the first time since T20 World Cup 2026 final. It will be Daryl Mitchell’s return to international stage after getting injured during England tour. It will be interesting to see which pace combination New Zealand prefers in the playing eleven. Jacob Duffy has been their prove T20I performer. They have Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry and T20 freelancers Adam Milne and Lockie Ferguson as well. Tickner is the latest addition whereas Smith and Clarkson are capable pacers as well. Since the T20I series is followed by the ODIs and the Tests, their T20 specialists may get more game time. It may result in Jamieson, Henry playing only a few games in the series.
Jacob’s chance to prove
From the batting point of view, it will be a challenge for Bevon Jacobs who is yet to translate Super Smash success to T20Is. Jacobs has played 11 T20Is so far and scored 183 runs from nine innings at an average of 26.14 and strike rate of 142.95. The last time he played a T20I for the BlackCaps, he rescued New Zealand against Bangladesh after three batters departed after scoring a run each. Batting at no.5, he smashed a 31-ball 62 to help New Zealand win a rain-curtailed 15 overs per side match.