Chapman and Foulkes to miss India T20I series with injuries

New Zealand's preparations for their upcoming home series against India have been dealt a series of blows, with key players ruled out due to injuries just weeks before the opening match. Key Players Sidelined The Black Caps will be missing dynamic batter Mark Chapman and emerging all-rounder Zak Foulkes for the five-match T20I series. Chapman is currently sidelined with a left-hamstring tear sustained during the European T20 Premier League last month, while Foulkes suffered a right hip flexor injury during a Canterbury training session. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) stated that Foulkes' return-to-play timeline remains undetermined, though Chapman is on track to recover in time for the ensuing ODI series. These absences compound an earlier setback involving Rachin Ravindra, who suffered a freak shoulder injury during a promotional shoot after landing awkwardly on a safety mat. Ravindra is expected to need around six weeks of recovery, keeping him out of the T20 matches but opening a potential return for the ODIs. Replacements and Squad Depth Head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment for the injured duo while expressing confidence in the replacements. Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner have been called up to bolster the squad. Despite the injuries, New Zealand boasts a formidable and pace-heavy lineup. Adam Milne returns to the T20I setup for the first time in over a year, joining a potent fast-bowling attack that includes Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, and newly added Tickner, alongside all-rounders Nathan Smith and Clarkson. Series Schedule and Lineup The action-packed multi-format tour begins with the five-match T20I series running from October 22 to November 1. This will be followed by five ODIs from November 4 to 15, and concluding with a two-Test series. New Zealand T20I Squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, and Blair Tickner.