Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stars Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, along with pacer Lockie Ferguson and all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, have been named in New Zealand’s squad for the upcoming five-match home ODI series against India, beginning November 4.
With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 approaching, New Zealand have opted for split squads to assess their white-ball options while ensuring adequate preparation for the subsequent Test series against India.
White-ball captain Mitchell Santner will lead both groups, with seven additional players set to join the squad for the final two ODIs. Meanwhile, members of the Test squad will leave the ODI setup after the third match and travel to Wellington to prepare for the opening Test at the Basin Reserve on November 19.
Ravindra, who missed the preceding T20I series against India due to a shoulder injury, has been included for the first three ODIs as he returns to action. Allen, Ferguson and Seifert will feature in the final two matches of the series.
Allen and Ferguson last represented New Zealand in ODI cricket during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, while Seifert’s most recent appearance in the format came against Pakistan around 18 months ago.
New Zealand will be without Zak Foulkes, Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears, who remain unavailable as they continue their respective injury rehabilitation programmes. Head coach Rob Walter said the series would provide an important opportunity to evaluate the team’s depth ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup while balancing preparations for the World Test Championship campaign.
“With the ODI World Cup just one year away, it’s important for us to also view these matches as valuable preparation for that event,” Walter said.
He added that introducing seven players for the final two matches would allow the team management to assess their performances against a high-quality Indian side. Walter also stressed the importance of preparing the Test players early, highlighting the significance of World Test Championship points and the need for additional preparation ahead of the opening Test on November 19.
The series will therefore serve a dual purpose for New Zealand, offering an opportunity to test their white-ball resources against India while managing workloads and building towards a crucial Test assignment.
India Tour Of New Zealand: Squad
ODIs 1-3: 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, Blair Tickner, Will Young.
ODIs 4 & 5: 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.
India Tour Of New Zealand: Schedule
T20I Schedule
- First T20I: 22 October, Christchurch
- Second T20I: 24 October, Christchurch
- Third T20I: 27 October, Wellington
- Fourth T20I: 30 October, Auckland
- Fifth T20I: 1 November, Hamilton
ODI Schedule
- First ODI: 4 November, Auckland
- Second ODI: 7 November, Wellington
- Third ODI: 10 November, Hamilton
- Fourth ODI: 13 November, Mount Maunganui
- Fifth ODI: 15 November, Mount Maunganui
Test Schedule
- First Test: 19-23 November, Wellington
- Second Test: 27 November-1 December, Christchurch