Shillong: New Zealand selectors have split their squad for the upcoming five-match ODI series against India. The action begins November 4. Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, and Tim Seifert return to the fold. Rachin Ravindra also joins the mix after healing his shoulder.
White-ball captain Mitchell Santner leads the pack. Only six players, including Santner, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Will Young, and Blair Tickner, will play all five games. Most of the squad rotates after three matches. Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Phillips, Ravindra, and Nathan Smith will finish their duties at Eden Park in Auckland. They head off to prepare for the Test series starting November 19 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Seven fresh faces arrive for the final two ODIs. Allen, Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Ferguson, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly, and Seifert round out the roster. Ferguson last played in the 2023 World Cup semi-final against India. Seifert returns for the first time in 18 months.
Coaches are eyeing a major tactical shift for Allen. They want to move him from his usual opener spot into the middle order. Head coach Rob Walter hopes this change helps the team pressure spinners and secondary bowlers during the middle overs. “We’ve got sort of a different role in mind for Finn in the middle order. So we want to explore that as an option, obviously, given his capability to sort of influence the game,” Walter said. Devon Conway will likely take the opening spot alongside Seifert.
New Zealand holds recent momentum. They beat India 2-1 on their home turf back in January. This series acts as early prep for the 2027 ODI World Cup hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
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