New Zealand have suffered two injury setbacks ahead of their upcoming five-match T20 International series against India, with batter Mark Chapman and fast bowler Zak Foulkes ruled out of the series.
All-rounder Josh Clarkson and fast bowler Blair Tickner have been named as replacements for the injured players.
Chapman has sustained a hamstring injury, while Foulkes is unavailable due to an injury to his right hip. Chapman suffered the hamstring injury while playing in the European T20 League last month.
His fitness is being monitored, and he is expected to have a chance of recovering in time for the ODI series against India. However, his return will depend on his recovery and clearance from the medical team.
Foulkes sustained the right-hip injury during a training session. No clear timeline has been provided for his return, prompting the team management to bring in another fast bowler for the T20 series.
New Zealand have included Clarkson and Tickner in the squad to replace the injured players. Clarkson provides an all-round option, with the ability to contribute with both bat and ball, while Tickner has been brought in to bolster the pace-bowling department.
Head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment over the injuries and hoped both players would recover soon. He also expressed confidence in the replacements brought into the squad.
New Zealand will aim to ensure that the available players are prepared ahead of the start of the series.
The first match of the proposed five-match T20 International series between India and New Zealand is scheduled for October 22.
According to the schedule provided, the second match is set for October 24 in Christchurch, the third for October 27 in Wellington, the fourth for October 30 in Auckland and the fifth for November 1 in Hamilton. The match dates and venues remain subject to confirmation against the official schedule.
Interest in the series also follows the teams' previous meetings in major international tournaments. According to the information provided, India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the men's T20 World Cup final earlier this year.
The upcoming series will give New Zealand another opportunity to face India in the T20 International format.
New Zealand's squad comprises Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner.
