The all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20I series against India.

The 26-year-old sustained a right shoulder dislocation during the photoshoot ahead of the series, and his rehabilitation is expected to take around six weeks, with a target of returning to the ODI series against India starting in November.

The 26-year-old has played around 115 matches across formats, slotting in the top or middle order and also comes in handy with his left-arm finger spinner.

Rachin Ravindra was New Zealand’s highest run-scorer during the 2023 ODI World Cup and highest wicket-taker during the 2026 T20 World Cup, where the side reached the finals.

Meanwhile, veteran pacer Adam Milne is returning to the New Zealand squad for the upcoming series. He will join Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes and Nathan Smith in the fast-bowling department.

New Zealand Cricket named a 16-member squad for the upcoming series to be played across four venues.

“We’re gutted for Rachin,” New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said. “He’s going to play a big role for us this summer so he mustn’t rush his rehab, but we’re optimistic he’ll be back for the ODIs.”

Bevon Jacobs, who has played 11 T20Is, has been included as a middle-order option. Rob Walter said that fast bowlers would help manage workloads by the start of the busy season.

“Our priority is winning games and putting the best team on the park, but we also have to keep in mind the volume of cricket in the coming months,” Walter said.

“We’re very fortunate with the depth that we’ve got to call upon, so we’ll look to use all 16 squad members throughout the series as we manage workloads.”

“It’s going to be awesome to welcome India to our shores and get summer underway,” Walter said. “India is a quality team and a challenging opposition, so to take them on in our own conditions in front of Kiwi fans is really exciting. We hear most of the games are going to be sold-out, and it should make for some incredible occasions.”

“We’ve got a near full-strength squad that covers all bases, and I’m excited to see how we compete against the current T20 world champions.”

The five-match T20I series will begin on October 22 at Hagley Oval. The T20I series will be played on November 01. Meanwhile, the ODI series will begin on November 04.

New Zealand Squad for India T20Is: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith