New Zealand have lost two players right before the India T20I Series. Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes are both out with injuries.
Chapman hurt his hamstring last month. He was playing in a T20 league in Europe. He will miss all five T20Is. New Zealand hope he can return for the ODI series against India. Foulkes has a hip flexor problem. It is not yet clear when he can play again.
Coach Rob Walter said he feels for Chapman and Foulkes. He wished them a smooth recovery. He also said the team is lucky to have Clarkson and Tickner available. He said both players are excited to join the group. He called the upcoming T20 series an epic one.
The last time these two sides met in a T20I was the World Cup final in Ahmedabad on March 8. India scored 255 for 5. New Zealand were bowled out for 159. India won by 96 runs. Mitchell Santner captained New Zealand that night. He will lead the side again in this series.
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, and Blair Tickner.
New Zealand Recall Blair Tickner as Adam Milne Returns for India T20I Series
Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner will replace them. Tickner’s recall is a long time coming. His first T20I was against India in 2019. His last one was against Pakistan in April 2023. He has played 18 T20Is and taken 19 wickets. Clarkson is a Central Districts all-rounder. He has played 13 T20Is since his debut against Australia in February 2024. He has scored 151 runs and taken six wickets. His most recent T20I was against Bangladesh in May.
Rachin Ravindra was already ruled out. He dislocated his right shoulder at a promotional shoot in Auckland in September. He was trying to take a diving catch. Bevon Jacobs took his place in the squad. Ravindra is also aiming to return for the ODIs.
Tickner joins a pace group that already has Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Jacob Duffy. Adam Milne is also back in the T20I squad after more than a year away. Chapman’s absence removes a left-hander from the middle order. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips are still there.
Coach Rob Walter said he feels for Chapman and Foulkes. He wished them both a smooth recovery. He also said the team is lucky to have Clarkson and Tickner available. He said both players are excited to be part of the series.
The series starts on October 22 in Christchurch. The first two T20Is are at Hagley Oval on October 22 and 24. The third match is at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on October 27. The fourth is at Eden Park in Auckland on October 30. The final T20I is at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1.
India Tour of New Zealand 2026: Full Schedule for 12 Matches Across T20Is, ODIs and Tests
India will tour New Zealand for a major series starting in October 2026. The tour runs until December. It includes two Tests, five ODIs, and five T20Is. This is the largest bilateral series ever played between the two countries. The Test matches are part of the World Test Championship cycle.
The T20I series begins on October 22. All five T20Is will be played under lights, starting at 8 PM local time. The first two matches are at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 22 and 24. The third T20I is at Wellington Regional Stadium on October 27. The fourth is at Eden Park in Auckland on October 30. The final T20I is at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1.
The ODI series follows. All five ODIs are day/night matches, starting at 3 PM local time. The first ODI is at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4. The second is at Wellington Regional Stadium on November 7. The third is at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 10. The last two ODIs are at Bay Oval in Tauranga on November 13 and 15.
After the ODIs, the two Test matches will be played. The dates and venues for the Tests were not provided in the schedule you shared, but they will conclude the tour in December.
FAQs
Q. Which New Zealand players will miss the India T20I series?
A. Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes will miss the series.
Q. Who will replace Chapman and Foulkes?
A. Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner will replace them.
Q. Why is Mark Chapman unavailable?
A. Chapman is recovering from a hamstring injury.
Q. Why is Zak Foulkes ruled out?
A. Chapman has a hip flexor problem.
Q. When does the India-New Zealand T20I series begin?
A. The series starts on October 22 in Christchurch.
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