Rachin Ravindra, who did not play in the T20I portion of this tour, is an important addition to the ODI squad. Rachin Ravindra availability for the ODIs is a significant boost for New Zealand, as he was unable to play those games owing to an injury sustained during a promotional advertisement shoot.
Mitchell Santner has been named captain of New Zealand’s ODI team for the five-match series against India. The series, which begins on November 4, 2026, is part of a wider visit that will also include a two-match Test series in Wellington beginning November 19 and five Twenty20 Internationals beginning October 22.
New Zealand has recent history on their side heading into this series. Their first bilateral ODI series win on Indian soil occurred in January 2026, when they defeated India 2-1.
Why did New Zealand select two distinct squads for the five One-Day Internationals?
Because a number of veteran players must go following the third ODI to prepare for the two-match Test series, which begins in Wellington on November 19, New Zealand has divided their squad throughout the series.
Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Nathan Smith are all available for the first three games, but will be unavailable for the final two.
New Zealand will have a new side in the fourth and fifth ODIs. Lockie Ferguson and Finn Allen, who have not played since 2023, will return to the ODI squad for this leg. Mitch Hay and Tim Seifert have been selected wicketkeepers for those two games, with Latham keeping the first three.
How will this series affect the New Zealand cricket schedule as a whole?
The five-match ODI series encompasses more than simply the bilateral match. It is expected that Rob Walter, New Zealand’s coach, and the team management will regard these games as preparation for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The roster composition for both matches reflects a desire to examine a broader pool of players before to the competition. “First and foremost, we are playing against a strong Indian team in front of our supporters in packed stadiums. This is a crucial series for us.” “It’s critical for us to view these games as essential preparation for the ODI World Cup, which is only a year away,” Walter said, according to the Indian Express.
New Zealand can also carefully control workloads thanks to the split-squad approach. While senior players heading to the Test can arrive in Wellington with plenty of time to prepare, players from the second group who play all five ODIs will get valuable international experience. This tour is one of the most demanding schedules New Zealand has faced in a single summer at home.
The whole New Zealand squad for the 2026 India ODI series
ODIs 1-3: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young.
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ODIs 4-5: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Mitch Hay (wk), Tim Seifert (wk), Nick Kelly, Blair Tickner, Will Young.
