New Zealand’s build-up to their home T20I series against India has hit an unexpected snag, and it centres on one of their most important all-rounders.
The injury
Rachin Ravindra dislocated his right shoulder on 16 September while attempting a diving catch during a promotional shoot with Sky in Auckland. He landed awkwardly on a safety mat during the filming, and New Zealand Cricket’s performance manager Mike Sandle described it as “a really unfortunate injury” that occurred despite appropriate safety measures being in place.
So, will he play?
As things stand, it’s genuinely unclear. Medical specialists carried out an initial assessment on 18 September and ruled out major structural damage, which is the good news. The bad news is that New Zealand have deliberately avoided setting a firm return date, saying his timeline “will be determined by his progress during the first weeks of his rehabilitation.” The five-match T20I series against India begins on 22 October, giving Ravindra a little over a month to prove his fitness.
Why New Zealand are cautious
Head coach Rob Walter pointed to a heavy Test schedule over the following six months as the reason for taking a measured approach. “We don’t want to rush Rachin back sooner than we need to,” Walter said. That caution reflects just how central Ravindra has become to New Zealand’s white-ball plans – he was the side’s highest wicket-taker at this year’s T20 World Cup, where they reached the final.
For the medical detail behind the injury and how it’s likely to be managed, see our full timeline on the shoulder injury and expected return. And for what his absence, or presence, could mean for New Zealand’s squad selection, our explainer on India series availability covers the bigger picture.
Until New Zealand name their squad, every update on his rehabilitation will be read closely by fans on both sides ahead of what was shaping up to be one of the more evenly matched T20I series of the year.