New Zealand Lose Ravindra and Chapman for India ODI Series
New Zealand India ODI series injuries have ruled Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra out after failing to recover fully from their injuries. Both players need more rehabilitation, and scans have confirmed they will not be available for the series, which starts at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, 4 November.
The two absences hurt in different ways. Chapman is a middle-order batter whose power hitting changes the shape of an innings. Ravindra is an all-round cricketer whose batting at the top of the order and left-arm spin give the side balance. Losing both at once tests the depth of a squad that had already been without them for parts of the recent Twenty20 series against India.
Two injuries from September
Chapman suffered a left hamstring tear while playing in the European T20 Premier League in September. A recent MRI scan showed that his hamstring needs another two weeks of rehabilitation before he is fully fit to return to the field. That timetable rules him out of the whole one-day series.
Ravindra injured his right shoulder during a promotional shoot in September. His shoulder has not recovered enough for him to field at full capacity in white-ball cricket. New Zealand Cricket has therefore given him more time, with the two-Test series against India later in November in mind. Head coach Rob Walter said the side did not want to take any undue risks with Ravindra before that Test series.
Walter said the absence of both players was disappointing. He said everyone knows what an asset Chapman and Ravindra are to the side, and that it was a shame they had to miss the series. At the same time, he expressed confidence that the squad still had enough depth and quality to cope without them.
The reshaped squad
New Zealand have reshuffled the squad to cover the two gaps. Tim Seifert, who was originally selected only for the last two one-day internationals, will now be available for the whole series. Henry Nicholls, an experienced batter, has been recalled for the first three matches. Dean Foxcroft, who is currently playing in the red-ball series between New Zealand A and India A, will join the squad for the final two matches.
The squad for the first three one-day internationals is Mitchell Santner as captain, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham as wicketkeeper, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Will Young and Blair Tickner. For the last two matches, the group changes, with Finn Allen, Kristian Clarke, Dean Foxcroft, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay and Nick Kelly among those in the frame, alongside the retained core led by Santner.
One more fitness question hangs over the squad. Matt Henry, the fast bowler, was ruled out of the last three Twenty20 internationals against India after a low-grade tear in his right quadriceps, and his fitness will be monitored closely. The New Zealand squad will assemble in Auckland on Monday, two days before the first match.
Frequently asked questions
Who is out of New Zealand’s ODI series against India?
Mark Chapman, with a left hamstring injury, and Rachin Ravindra, with a right shoulder injury. Both have been ruled out of the five-match series.
When does the series start?
On Wednesday, 4 November, at Eden Park in Auckland.
How long does Chapman need to recover?
A recent MRI scan showed his left hamstring needs another two weeks of rehabilitation.
Why is Ravindra being rested?
His right shoulder has not recovered enough for him to field at full capacity, and New Zealand do not want to risk him ahead of the Test series against India later in November.
Who has replaced them?
Tim Seifert will now play the whole series, Henry Nicholls has been recalled for the first three matches, and Dean Foxcroft will join for the final two matches.
