New Zealand are determined to ensure key batter Rachin Ravindra is fit to play Australia, as he sits out the upcoming ODIs against India
New Zealand star batter Rachin Ravindra has been left out of the squad for the Black Caps’ ODI series against India beginning on Wednesday.
Ravindra is currently recovering from a shoulder injury which saw the 26-year-old miss the five-game T20I series against the same opponent, which concluded on Sunday.
The Kiwis are looking to rest Ravindra as their tour to Australia approaches. The first of four Tests between the Tasman rivals begins on December 9 – six weeks away.
New Zealand coach Rob Walter said Ravindra – who is absent alongside Mark Chapman, who is recovering from a hamstring injury – would be missed in the five-game series against India, but it was necessary for the Kiwis to give their gun batter as much time as possible to recover as they prepare for Australia.
“Everyone knows what an asset Mark and Rachin are to this side so it’s a shame they have to miss this series,” said Walter.
“With Rachin, his shoulder hasn’t quite recovered to a position where he could field comfortably in white-ball cricket, so with the Test series later this month we don’t want to take any undue risks.”
Ravindra will be crucial to New Zealand’s hopes this summer, having fast become arguably their most important batter while averaging 47.82 across 24 Tests.
The stylish left-hand middle-order batter has not yet played on Australian shores but averaged 36.25 in two Tests against the Aussies at home in 2024.
New Zealand are as well-positioned as ever to come and claim a major scalp away from home against a deflated Australia.
The Kiwis sit atop the World Test Championship rankings with South Africa (second) and Australia (third) in tow.
Australia will play the first Test against New Zealand in Perth from December 9-13, followed by matches at the Adelaide Oval (December 17-21), MCG (26-30) and SCG (January 4-8).
The series will go a long way in deciding who will feature in the World Test Championship Final which will be held at The Oval, England, in June 2027.