New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on September 23 announced a 16-member squad for the five-T20I series at home against India. Rachin Ravindra continues to be on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury he suffered during a promotional shoot.
“We’re gutted for Rachin,” said New Zealand’s head coach Rob Walter. “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."
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Tim Robinson has been dropped as openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert are available for the series. Bevon Jacobs has got the middle order role whereas Adam Milne has returned to the T20I squad after more than a year. Ben Sears is missing from the squad as he is yet to recover from an ankle injury.
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Head coach Walter is excited to see New Zealand go into the series with a near full-strength squad. He also revealed that the venues for the five T20Is are set to be sold out.
"It's going to be awesome to welcome India to our shores and get summer underway," Walter said. "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.”
New Zealand’s squad for T20Is vs India
Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamiseon, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith.
India vs New Zealand T20I series schedule and venues
The five-T20I series will begin on October 22. The first two T20Is will be played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Then, the action will shift to Wellington's Sky Stadium followed by Auckland's Eden Park and Hamilton's Seddon Park. The T20I series will conclude on November 1. This will be the first time India and New Zealand will take on each other after the T20 World Cup 2026 final.
After the T20Is, the Indians and Kiwis will clash in a five-ODI series and two-Test series. India's tour of New Zealand will conclude on December 1 considering the second Test goes to Day 5.
IND vs NZ T20I series record on New Zealand soil
The last time India toured New Zealand was in 2022. India won the three-T20I series 1-0 as the opener was washed out due to rain and the third game was tied via DLS method. The last time India played a five-T20I series on New Zealand soil, they won 5-0. New Zealand have won two T20I series against India at home.