Rachin Ravindra is set to be back in action for New Zealand after being named in New Zealand's squad for their two-match Test series against India, which begins on November 19 in Wellington. The batter dislocated his right shoulder while attempting a diving catch during a promotional shoot in September, and the injury kept him out of the five-match T20I series against India as well as the ongoing five-match ODI series.
Ravindra, as well as Devon Conway - who suffered a concussion during a pre-ODI-series training session in Auckland - and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell - who is recovering from a quadriceps injury - "are working through their respective injuries and aiming to be available for the first Test," an NZC release said. If Blundell plays both Tests against India, he will complete the milestone of 50 Test appearances.
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New Zealand's squad wears a similar look to the one that won 2-1 away in England in June. The players not featuring in this squad are batter Kane Williamson (who retired midway through that tour) and fast bowlers Will O'Rourke (whose workload is being managed ahead of the four-match Test tour of Australia that follows this series), Ben Sears (ankle injury) and Zak Foulkes (hip injury).
The one addition is of fast bowler Jacob Duffy, who missed the England tour on paternity leave.
BJ Watling, who is replacing Luke Ronchi as New Zealand's batting coach, will join the squad on Monday, three days before the start of the first Test.
The series is crucial for both teams in their quest to make the World Test Championship (WTC) final in June 2027. New Zealand are currently on top of the WTC table, but both South Africa and Australia are within touching distance of their percentage of points contested. India are a fair distance behind in fourth place, and will need to win most of their seven remaining Tests - they finish their cycle with a five-match home series against Australia - to have a chance of qualifying.
New Zealand squad for Test series vs India
Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young