New Zealand will field a strong squad for the five-match T20I series against India starting October 22. Mitchell Santner will captain the Black Caps in this series, leading a team that retained thirteen members from their T20 World Cup squad earlier this year.
Rachin Ravindra's absence through shoulder injury is the most significant and creates an opening in the top order. Ravindra suffered the injury during a promotional shoot and requires around six weeks of rehabilitation, ruling him out of the series.
Top order - Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Mark Chapman
Finn Allen opens the innings alongside Tim Seifert, who keeps wicket. Allen provides the aggressive start New Zealand requires at the top of the order in the shortest format. The opening partnership forms the foundation for the Black Caps' batting approach in this series. The pair have been one of the most successful opening partnerships in the format.
Mark Chapman is expected to slot in at number 3 with Ravindra's absence, and is set to be a dominant presence in the middle order. Chapman is highly regarded in the format for his quick scoring and will be expected to play a similar role.
Middle order - Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c)
Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips form the middle order backbone. Mitchell's experience and Phillips' versatility give the Black Caps flexibility in the middle stages of their innings. Both players bring consistency to the batting unit. Phillips' power game also adds impetus to the middle order
Captain Santner and Michael Bracewell complete the batting unit. Bracewell returns after injuries kept him out of New Zealand's run to the T20 World Cup final earlier this year, adding depth to the middle order, while also offering a reliable off-spin option. Santner contributes with both bat and ball as an all-rounder. His leadership and left-arm spin provide balance to the squad composition. Santner's dual role strengthens the team's flexibility.
Lower order and bowlers - Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne
The pace attack is expected to feature Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy and Adam Milne. Milne returns to the New Zealand cricket team more than a year after his last international appearance against Zimbabwe.
The 34-year-old, a highly-rated name in T20 cricket, joins an experienced pace contingent featuring bowlers of varying skill. Henry is expected to set the tone with the new ball, while Ferguson slots in as the middle-overs enforcer. Milne's high pace and ability to land yorkers makes him the death-overs specialist, while Duffy's pace, bounce and natural angle make him a threat in all phases of the innings.
New Zealand's predicted XI for the series is Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne.
