New Zealand recall Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert for India ODIs
New Zealand have named separate squads for the first three and final two ODIs against India, with seven different players joining the group for the last two matches.
Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert are set for ODI comebacks as New Zealand Cricket announced the squad for the upcoming five-match series against India. Rachin Ravindra, too, will mark his return from a shoulder injury that will be keeping him out of the preceding T20Is against the visitors.
The series begins on November 4 at Eden Park in Auckland, with New Zealand naming separate squads for the first three ODIs and the final-two matches. White-ball captain Mitchell Santner will lead both squads, with seven additional players joining the group for the fourth and fifth ODIs as a section of the squad departs for Wellington to begin preparations for the subsequent Test series.
Allen and Ferguson last featured in an ODI in 2023, with Ferguson's most recent appearance coming in the World Cup semi-final against India in Mumbai. Seifert's last ODI outing was in the home series against Pakistan 18 months ago. The trio will return for games four and five.
Ravindra, who was ruled out of the T20I squad due to a shoulder injury, has been included for the first three ODIs. The squad largely retains the core of the side that secured a historic 2-1 ODI series win in India in January, New Zealand's first bilateral ODI series victory over India on Indian soil.
Zak Foulkes (hip flexor), Will O'Rourke (calf) and Ben Sears (ankle) were not available for selection as they continue their respective injury rehab.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter will remain with the ODI squad for the final two matches, supported by Northern Districts men's strength and conditioning coach Corey Miles. Meanwhile, bowling coach Jacob Oram and departing batting coach Luke Ronchi will oversee the Test preparations in Wellington after the third ODI. They will be joined by newly appointed batting coach BJ Watling.
Walter felt the home series against India will serve as an important opportunity for New Zealand to assess their options ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup, to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. “First and foremost this is a huge series for us, playing in front of our fans in full stadiums against a formidable Indian side,” Walter said.
“With the ODI World Cup just one year away it's important for us to also view these matches as valuable preparation for that event. Bringing in seven players for the final ODIs allows us to test our depth and see how those players fare against a world-class side.”
Walter also highlighted the importance of balancing ODI commitments with preparations for the Test series, which begins on November 19, and is a part of the ICC World Test Championship.
“Obviously every Test match is important for us in terms of championship points, which is why we're extracting some of that squad early for additional preparation before the first Test against India at the Basin Reserve on November 19,” he said.
“We're incredibly lucky to have the depth that we do to have 21 players involved in the series. It's also great to bring guys like Lockie, Finn, and Tim back into the One Day unit. They're all exciting and explosive players in their own right and are proven match winners.
“For Finn and Tim in particular, we've seen what they can do in the T20 arena, and it's now a great opportunity for them to push their case in the longer format.”
New Zealand will announce their 14-player Test squad for the series against India in early November.
