Rachin Ravindra Ruled Out of India T20Is Due to Shoulder Injury
New Zealand’s home summer will start without one of its brightest centrepieces.
Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against India after dislocating his right shoulder during a promotional shoot, a jarring setback that cuts across both cricket and commercial calendars. The left-hander, now a central plank in New Zealand’s white-ball plans, faces around six weeks on the sidelines, with a return targeted for the ODI series against India beginning November 4.
“We’re gutted for Rachin,” head coach Rob Walter said. The sentiment fits the mood. Ravindra was shaping as a key figure for the summer, and this was meant to be a marquee home showcase against the reigning T20 world champions. Instead, his focus turns to rehab and the slow, disciplined work of getting that shoulder right.
Walter stressed the need for patience, not bravado. Ravindra “is going to play a big role for us this summer so it’s important that he doesn’t rush his rehab,” the coach said, while keeping a positive line that New Zealand remain “optimistic he’ll be back for the ODIs.”
Sears still out, pace stocks loaded
Ravindra is not the only absentee. Ben Sears, working his way back from an ankle injury, was also unavailable for selection as New Zealand named a 16-man squad for the three-match series starting October 22.
Even without Sears, the fast-bowling group looks stacked. Adam Milne returns after more than a year away from international duty, his last appearance coming against Zimbabwe. He slots into a pace unit that bristles with variety and speed: Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith join Milne to form a seam attack built for aggression on home pitches.
Thirteen players from the squad that finished runner-up to India at this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup are back. Michael Bracewell and Milne, both sidelined by injuries after that campaign, now re-enter the frame, adding experience and depth.
Mitchell Santner will lead a group that blends power, all-round skill and specialist bowling options: Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert and Nathan Smith.
Near full strength, and a full house
For Walter, the narrative is clear: this is as close to full strength as New Zealand can get without Ravindra and Sears.
“We’ve got a near full-strength squad that covers all bases and I’m excited to see how we compete against the current T20 world champions,” he said. Spin leadership from Santner, middle-order power from Mitchell and Phillips, and a battery of quicks give New Zealand options for every surface and situation.
The stage will match the squad. India arrive as a “quality team and a challenging opposition,” Walter noted, and the early signs point to a charged atmosphere. Most games are expected to be sold out, a familiar sight when India tour but still a powerful backdrop for a New Zealand side eager to test itself at home.
“It’s going to be awesome to welcome India to our shores and get summer underway,” Walter said. For New Zealand, the challenge is simple: harness that noise, absorb the loss of Ravindra, and prove that a near full-strength Black Caps side can go toe-to-toe with the world champions in their own backyard.
