New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is in doubt for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India after dislocating his right shoulder during a promotional commercial shoot in Auckland. The injury occurred while Ravindra was attempting a diving catch on a safety mat for host broadcaster Sky.
Specialist assessments conducted on Friday, September 18, cleared the 26-year-old of major structural damage. While the scan results are positive compared to initial concerns, Ravindra’s participation in the series opener on October 22 remains uncertain. His return-to-play timeline depends on his progress through a rehabilitation program over the coming weeks.
Head coach Rob Walter confirmed that the medical team will prioritize the player’s long-term availability, particularly with a busy red-ball calendar on the horizon.
“With a heavy schedule of Test cricket in the next six months, we don’t want to rush Rachin back sooner than we need to,” Walter said.
Analysis of New Zealand’s schedule suggests this cautious approach is linked to a looming four-Test series against Australia and two Tests against India later this season. Ravindra has established himself as a vital multi-format player, and the coaching staff is aiming to avoid a setback during the T20I leg of the home summer.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) performance manager Mike Sandle described the incident as a rare occurrence during non-training duties. “It was a bit of a freak accident, and we’ll continue to review our processes around events like this in the future,” Sandle said.
Following the accident, NZC plans to review its commercial event protocols, specifically regarding high-intensity activities during broadcast commitments. The India tour is the centerpiece of the Black Caps’ home season, featuring five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Test matches. The first T20I is scheduled for Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
NZC is expected to announce the T20I squad next week. If Ravindra is ruled out, selectors must identify a replacement top-order option for the series against an Indian side that follows New Zealand’s recent T20 World Cup final appearance.
