New Zealand Cricket (NZC) today announced a dynamic split squad for the upcoming five-match One-Day International series against India, set to commence on November 4. The strategic selection sees the return of powerful opener Finn Allen, express pacer Lockie Ferguson, and wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert, while all-rounder Rachin Ravindra makes a welcome comeback from a shoulder injury.
Mitchell Santner will lead the Blackcaps throughout the series.
The decision to name an enlarged squad, with a portion of players departing after the third ODI to prepare for the subsequent Test series against India, underscores the tight international schedule and the selectors’ focus on red-ball commitments. Coach Rob Walter highlighted the importance of depth and the opportunity for players to stake their claim ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Squad Breakdown
The squad for the initial three ODIs includes key Test players who will then transition to red-ball preparations. The full 21-player group for the series demonstrates the depth New Zealand possesses across formats.
New Zealand ODI Squad for India Series:
- Players available for all five ODIs: Mitchell Santner (Captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Will Young, Blair Tickner.
- Players for first three ODIs (depart after 3rd ODI for Test preparation): Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith.
- Players joining for fourth and fifth ODIs: Finn Allen, Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay (wicketkeeper), Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper).
Notably, Ravindra, who had been sidelined from the preceding T20I series due to a shoulder injury sustained during a promotional event in September 2026, has been declared fit for the ODIs and is available for the first three matches. Allen (age 27) and Ferguson (age 35) last featured in an ODI in 2023, with Ferguson’s last appearance being the 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-final against India in Mumbai. Seifert’s (age 31) most recent ODI cap came approximately 18 months ago, on April 5, 2025, during a home series against Pakistan.
Series Schedule and Venues
This five-match ODI series is a crucial part of India’s multi-format tour of New Zealand, which also includes T20Is and Tests. The Blackcaps will be looking to build on their memorable 2-1 ODI series victory over India earlier this year in January.
India Tour of New Zealand 2026 – ODI Series Fixtures:
| Match | Date | Venue | Start Time (NZDT) | Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | November 4, 2026 | Eden Park, Auckland | 3:00 PM | 7:30 AM |
| 2nd ODI | November 7, 2026 | Wellington | 3:00 PM | 7:30 AM |
| 3rd ODI | November 10, 2026 | Hamilton | 3:00 PM | 7:30 AM |
| 4th ODI | November 13, 2026 | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui | 3:00 PM | 7:30 AM |
| 5th ODI | November 15, 2026 | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui | 3:00 PM | 7:30 AM |
The series promises to be an exciting contest as both teams fine-tune their combinations and strategies, with New Zealand aiming to leverage home advantage and integrate returning talents, all while keeping one eye firmly on the upcoming 2027 World Cup preparations.