New Zealand ODI Squad for India Series 2026: Finn Allen, Ferguson Return; Ravindra Included

New Zealand have named two separate squads for their five-match ODI series against India in November 2026, with Finn Allen and Lockie Ferguson returning to the ODI setup and Rachin Ravindra included for the opening three matches. The selection plan also gives the team an opportunity to manage workloads and assess different players across the series.

Mitchell Santner will lead both groups. The first squad covers the opening three ODIs, while the final two matches feature additional options, including Allen, Ferguson and wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert. The split provides New Zealand with flexibility as they continue building depth ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The biggest talking points are the return of experienced international players, Ravindra’s availability after a shoulder injury, and the players being managed through separate selection windows. Here is a closer look at both squads, the latest fitness updates and the series schedule.

New Zealand Cricket have named separate squads for the first three and final two ODIs of the five-match series against India, which begins on 4 November at Eden Park in Auckland. The selection plan brings 21 players into the series across the two groups, giving the coaching staff an opportunity to assess squad depth against a strong Indian side.

The first three matches feature established players including Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra. Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert are included for the final two ODIs, adding different batting and wicketkeeping options to the squad.

The split is also linked to New Zealand’s upcoming Test series against India. Some players will leave the ODI group after the third match to begin red-ball preparations in Wellington, ahead of the first Test scheduled for 19 November.

Head coach Rob Walter has highlighted the value of the ODI series as preparation for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The next sections list both squads separately and explain the key selection decisions.

Key point: Mitchell Santner leads both squads, while the returning players Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert are selected for ODIs four and five. Rachin Ravindra is included for the opening three matches after a shoulder injury ruled him out of the preceding T20I series.

Read the official New Zealand Cricket squad announcement

New Zealand have selected a 14-player squad for the first three ODIs of the India series. The group combines experienced international players with pace-bowling options and all-rounders, giving the team flexibility across different conditions.

Key points from the opening squad

• Mitchell Santner leads: He will captain the side throughout the ODI series.
• Rachin Ravindra returns: His inclusion strengthens New Zealand’s batting and spin-bowling options, subject to fitness and availability.
• Experienced pace attack: Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy are among the seam-bowling options.
• Batting depth: Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Will Young provide international experience across the batting order.

This squad is scheduled to cover the first three ODIs. Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert are named in the separate group for the final two matches, rather than this opening squad.

Source: New Zealand Cricket — BLACKCAPS ODI squads vs India.

New Zealand have named a separate 14-player squad for the final two ODIs against India. The group includes returning options in Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert, alongside several players selected for the opening matches.

What stands out in the final-two-ODI squad?

• Finn Allen returns to the ODI setup: His selection gives New Zealand another aggressive batting option at the top of the order.
• Lockie Ferguson adds pace: His inclusion strengthens the fast-bowling options for the final matches.
• Tim Seifert provides wicketkeeping depth: He joins Mitch Hay as a wicketkeeping option in this squad.
• Continuity remains important: Santner, Bracewell, Chapman, Duffy, Tickner and Young are also included in the opening squad.

The two-squad arrangement allows New Zealand to rotate personnel across the five-match series while managing the transition between the ODI fixtures and other international commitments. Selection alone does not guarantee a place in the playing XI for any particular match.

Source: New Zealand Cricket — BLACKCAPS ODI squads vs India.

Finn Allen and Lockie Ferguson are among the key names in New Zealand’s squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs against India in November 2026. Their selection adds batting aggression and pace-bowling experience to the group for the closing matches.

Finn Allen: An Additional Aggressive Batting Option

Allen’s inclusion gives New Zealand another option at the top of the order. His attacking approach can help the team make a fast start, although his selection does not automatically confirm a place in the playing XI.

Lockie Ferguson: More Pace for the Final Matches

Ferguson’s return strengthens the available fast-bowling resources. His selection gives the team another pace option as New Zealand prepare for the final two games of the ODI series.

Why Their Selection Matters

• More batting options: Allen adds another opening-batter choice.
• Additional pace: Ferguson expands New Zealand’s fast-bowling options.
• Squad flexibility: The separate squads allow New Zealand to manage player availability across the five-match series.
• Long-term planning: The selections form part of the team’s broader preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

New Zealand Cricket’s squad announcement identifies Allen and Ferguson in the group for ODIs four and five. Final team selection and individual roles will depend on the match-day XI.

Source: New Zealand Cricket — BLACKCAPS ODI squads vs India.

Rachin Ravindra’s inclusion is one of the main talking points in New Zealand’s ODI squad announcement for the 2026 India series. The all-rounder has been selected for the first three matches, giving New Zealand another option with both bat and ball.

What Is Known About Ravindra’s Fitness?

New Zealand Cricket’s squad announcement confirms Ravindra’s selection for the opening three ODIs following the shoulder issue that kept him out of the T20I group. His selection is a positive sign for his availability, but it should not be treated as confirmation that he is fully recovered or guaranteed to play every match.

Why His Return Matters for New Zealand

• Batting depth: Ravindra gives New Zealand another left-handed batting option.
• Spin-bowling flexibility: His left-arm spin can provide an additional option depending on conditions and team balance.
• All-round value: He can contribute in more than one discipline, giving the team flexibility when selecting its XI.
• Series planning: His inclusion gives the coaching staff an opportunity to assess his availability during the opening leg of the series.

Will Rachin Ravindra Play All Three Matches?

Selection in the squad does not confirm a starting place in each ODI. His match participation will depend on fitness, workload management and the team’s final selection decisions. Readers should check the latest team news before each match for a confirmed update.

For now, the confirmed point is that Ravindra has been named in the squad for ODIs one to three. Any further claims about his recovery timeline or playing status should be based on a new statement from New Zealand Cricket or the team management.

Source: New Zealand Cricket — BLACKCAPS ODI squads vs India.

Alongside the returning players, New Zealand’s squad announcement confirmed that Zak Foulkes, Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears were unavailable for selection because of injuries. Their absence reduces the team’s available options as it prepares for the five-match ODI series against India.

How These Absences Affect New Zealand

Fast-bowling depth: O’Rourke and Sears are unavailable, limiting the pace options New Zealand can consider for this series. The selected squads include experienced alternatives such as Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy and Blair Tickner.

All-round options: Foulkes’ absence removes another player from consideration. New Zealand will need to work with the all-rounders and specialist bowlers named in the two squads.

Fitness monitoring: Injury status can change during a series. Any return timeline or revised availability should be confirmed through an official team update rather than assumed from the initial squad announcement.

Will These Players Return During the Series?

The squad announcement establishes that the three players were unavailable when the teams were named. It does not, by itself, confirm a return date. New Zealand’s team management would need to provide a further update before any change to their availability can be reported.

Source: New Zealand Cricket — BLACKCAPS ODI squads vs India.

New Zealand have selected separate 14-player squads for the first three ODIs and the final two matches against India. Mitchell Santner will captain both groups, while several players appear in both squads. The arrangement gives the selectors flexibility across the five-match series.

1. Managing Players Across Different Commitments

Some players are scheduled to leave the ODI group after the third match to prepare for the upcoming Test series. Splitting the selection windows allows New Zealand to plan for those commitments without treating all five ODIs as one unchanged squad.

2. Bringing Returning Players Into the Setup

Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert have been named for the final two ODIs. Their inclusion adds different options to the group and gives the team flexibility when selecting its playing XI for the closing matches.

3. Assessing Squad Depth Ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup

Building depth is an important part of New Zealand’s longer-term ODI planning. A split squad gives selectors the opportunity to assess different combinations, although selection alone does not guarantee that every player will feature on the field.

4. Maintaining Continuity Across Both Groups

Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner and Will Young are included in both squads. That overlap helps maintain continuity while other players enter or leave the group between the opening and closing stages.

What the Split Means for the Series

• ODIs 1–3: Rachin Ravindra is included in the opening squad, alongside players such as Tom Latham, Devon Conway and Matt Henry.
• ODIs 4–5: Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert are included in the later squad.
• Leadership: Mitchell Santner is named captain of both groups.
• Long-term focus: The selection plan also fits into New Zealand’s preparation for future international commitments and the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The split does not mean New Zealand are fielding two entirely different teams. The overlap between the squads preserves a core group, while the changes provide additional options for the final two matches.

Source: New Zealand Cricket — BLACKCAPS ODI squads vs India.

New Zealand will host India for five ODIs in November 2026. The series opens at Eden Park in Auckland before moving to Wellington and Hamilton. The final two matches are scheduled at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Important Dates for Fans

• November 4: The series begins in Auckland.
• November 10: The third ODI takes place in Hamilton, marking the end of the opening squad’s scheduled block.
• November 13: The fourth ODI begins the Mount Maunganui leg.
• November 15: Bay Oval hosts the final ODI of the series.

New Zealand have named separate squads for the first three and final two ODIs. Mitchell Santner will captain both groups, while Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert are included in the squad for the last two matches.

Match start times should be checked against the official fixture listing closer to each game, as broadcast and local scheduling details may be updated.

Official schedule: New Zealand Cricket. You can also check the India vs New Zealand ODI fixture listing.

• Mitchell Santner will captain both squads: The all-rounder will lead New Zealand across all five ODIs against India.
• Rachin Ravindra returns to the ODI group: He has been selected for the opening three matches following his shoulder injury.
• Finn Allen and Lockie Ferguson are back: Both players feature in the squad for the final two ODIs, strengthening New Zealand’s batting and pace options.
• Tim Seifert is another notable inclusion: The wicketkeeper-batter returns to the ODI setup for the final two matches.
• Injuries continue to affect selection: Zak Foulkes, Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears have been ruled out of the series with their respective fitness issues.
• The series runs from November 4 to November 15, 2026: The five ODIs will be played across Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui.
• The split squads offer selection flexibility: The arrangement allows New Zealand to manage player workloads while continuing preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup and upcoming Test commitments.

The main selection story is the return of Allen and Ferguson for the final two games, alongside Ravindra’s inclusion at the start of the series. Their availability and match fitness will be important factors to watch as New Zealand prepare to face India.

Official reference: New Zealand Cricket — ODI squad announcement

Official Squad Announcement

New Zealand Cricket’s official announcement provides the squad details for the India ODI series, including the returns of Finn Allen and Lockie Ferguson and Rachin Ravindra’s selection for the opening matches.

Read the official New Zealand Cricket squad announcement

ICC Coverage

The International Cricket Council’s report provides additional coverage of New Zealand’s split-squad selection for the India ODI series.

Read the ICC report

Official Series Schedule

Refer to New Zealand Cricket’s published schedule for the wider 2026–27 international calendar and fixture information.

View the New Zealand Cricket schedule PDF