Rachin Ravindra ruled out of India T20I series after freak injury

New Zealand have suffered a big blow ahead of the T20I series against India beginning on October 22 as all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out of the series due to a shoulder injury. Ravindra dislocated his shoulder while attempting a diving catch during a promotional shoot in Auckland.

He’s likely to be out for six weeks, with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) hoping for him to be fit by the ODI series, which begins on November 4. New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said that he was disappointed for Ravindra and hoped for his return soon.

"We're gutted for Rachin. He's going to play a big role for us this summer so it's important that he doesn't rush his rehab, but we're optimistic he'll be back for the ODIs,” said New Zealand head coach Rob Walter.

Meanwhile, Bevon Jacobs, who made an unbeaten 62 in his last outing against Bangladesh, has been picked to provide a batting option in the middle-order.

On the other hand, fast bowler Adam Milne will likely play his first T20I in more than a year. He forms a strong lineup of pace bowlers alongside Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith. However, Ben Sears wasn’t picked as he recovers from an ankle injury.

Priority is to win games and put the best team on the park: Rob Walter

Walter also spoke about the advantage of having good fast bowling depth, saying that it would help manage workloads heading into a busy season with New Zealand set to tour Australia for four Tests after the India series before returning home to play Sri Lanka again.

"Our priority is winning games and putting the best team on the park, but we also have to keep in mind the volume of cricket in the coming months. We're very fortunate with the depth that we've got to call upon, so we'll look to use all 16 squad members throughout the series as we manage workloads,” said Walter.

New Zealand squad for T20I series against India: Mitchell Santner (capt), 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, Nathan Smith