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Adam Milne Returns as New Zealand Unleash Seven-Pacer Attack Against India… But Rachin Ravindra Misses Out
The Blackcaps have named a pace-heavy 16-member squad for the five-match home T20I series, with Michael Bracewell also returning and Rachin Ravindra ruled out by a shoulder injury.
New Zealand have loaded their squad with fast-bowling firepower for the upcoming five-match T20I series against reigning world champions India, naming seven frontline pace options in an expanded 16-member group.
Fit-again fast bowler Adam Milne is back in the international set-up, while spin-bowling all-rounder Michael Bracewell has also returned after recovering from injury.
White-ball captain Mitchell Santner will lead the Blackcaps during the series, which begins at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 22. India will be captained by Shreyas Iyer.
The five matches will be played across four New Zealand cities over 11 days, concluding at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1.
Adam Milne returns after lengthy absence
Milne’s return is one of the most notable elements of the New Zealand squad. The 34-year-old missed the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after suffering a torn left hamstring and has not represented the Blackcaps since their series against Zimbabwe more than a year ago.
The experienced pacer has played 56 T20 internationals and possesses the ability to trouble batters with his raw speed, particularly on New Zealand’s pace-friendly surfaces.
Milne joins a formidable fast-bowling group featuring Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith.
The seven-pacer selection gives New Zealand considerable flexibility to rotate its bowlers during a tightly packed series. Head coach Rob Walter confirmed that workload management influenced the decision to name a larger squad, with the Blackcaps facing a demanding international schedule over the coming months.
Michael Bracewell also back after injury
Bracewell returns after missing the T20 World Cup due to injury. His off-spin and lower-order hitting will provide balance alongside captain Santner and batting all-rounder Glenn Phillips.
Thirteen members of the New Zealand squad that finished runners-up to India in the T20 World Cup have been retained for the home series.
The batting group includes explosive openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, with both expected to reunite at the top of the order. Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Bevon Jacobs complete a versatile batting unit.
Seifert enters the series in particularly impressive form after being named player of the tournament in The Hundred, where he scored 394 runs at a strike rate of 168.
Rachin Ravindra ruled out after unusual injury
New Zealand will, however, be without star all-rounder Rachin Ravindra.
The 26-year-old dislocated his right shoulder while attempting a diving catch during a promotional shoot in Auckland. Although medical examinations reportedly ruled out major structural damage, his rehabilitation is expected to take approximately six weeks.
That recovery period has ruled him out of the entire T20I series. New Zealand are hopeful that he will be available for the five-match ODI series, which starts at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4.
“We’re gutted for Rachin,” Walter said, adding that the team did not want the all-rounder to rush his rehabilitation.
Ravindra’s absence is a significant setback. He played an important role in New Zealand’s run to the T20 World Cup final, where India eventually defeated the Blackcaps to claim the title.
The opening match in Christchurch will be the first meeting between the two teams since that final, adding another layer of anticipation to the series.
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Ben Sears unavailable for selection
Fast bowler Ben Sears was not considered because he is continuing his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.
Despite his absence, New Zealand’s pace resources remain exceptionally strong. The combination of Ferguson’s speed, Henry’s control, Jamieson’s height and Milne’s experience gives Santner several tactical options against India’s powerful batting line-up.
Walter described India as challenging opposition but said New Zealand were excited about facing the world champions in home conditions.
The coach also indicated that all 16 squad members could be used during the series as the management looks to balance its desire to win with the need to manage workloads.
New Zealand squad for India T20Is
Mitchell Santner (captain), 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 and Nathan Smith.
India vs New Zealand T20I schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| First T20I | October 22 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| Second T20I | October 24 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| Third T20I | October 27 | Hnry Stadium, Wellington |
| Fourth T20I | October 30 | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Fifth T20I | November 1 | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
The T20I series will open India’s extensive tour of New Zealand, which also features five ODIs and two Test matches. The 12-match assignment is the largest inbound men’s bilateral tour in New Zealand Cricket’s history.
With more than 76,000 tickets already sold a month before the opening match, the rematch between the T20 world champions and runners-up is shaping up to be one of New Zealand’s biggest home attractions of the summer.
