India is scheduled to host New Zealand for a white-ball series comprising 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs. The first ODI will be played on Sunday, January 11, in Vadodara. The second game will be hosted at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday, January 14. The series will conclude on Sunday, January 18, with the last match hosted by Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
On Tuesday, December 23, New Zealand announced the squad for the ODI series. Mitchell Santner has been given rest for the ODI leg of the series. Santner sustained a groin injury during the ODI series against the West Indies in November and was ruled out of the Test series.
Michael Bracewell will lead New Zealand in Santner’s absence. Bracwell last captained the ODI side in the home series against Pakistan in March-April this year.
Kane Williamson will miss the ODI series against India
Meanwhile, Kane Williamson, the former Blackcaps captain, will miss the ODI series against India due to his SA20 commitments. Jacob Duffy and Rachin Ravindra, who were one of the eight New Zealand players who were sold during the IPL 2026 Auction, will miss the ODI series. Both players have been rested for the series.
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New Zealand has announced a young squad against India
Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Mark Chapman, and Matt Henry have been ruled out of the series due to injury. Tom Latham will also miss the series as he is expecting the birth of his third child. Kyle Jamieson, who sustained a back injury this year, will make a comeback to the side and has been included in both squads.
Left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox has received his maiden call-up. Young players like Kritisan Clarke, Adi Ashok, Josh Clarkson, Nick Kelly, and Michael Rae are also in the squad.
New Zealand ODI squad: Michael Bracewell (c), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway (wk), Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young
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New Zealand has also announced the squad for the T20I series. Santner, Chapman, and Henry have been included in the squad and are expected to recover from their respective injuries. Bevon Jacobs and Tim Robinson have earned a recall to the T20I side, while Will O’Rourke, Blair Tickner, and Nathan Smith will miss the series due to injury. New Zealand is likely to announce its squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in mid-January.
