New Zealand Players (Source: AFP Photos)New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced two squads for the upcoming five-match ODI series against India. The reason for picking two squads- one for the first three matches while the other for the remaining two- was solely due to their focus on World Test Championship (WTC) ambitions.However, Mitchell Santner, their white-ball captain, will lead the both squads. Besides, three well-known names, Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, and Tim Seifert, will be back in the 50-over setup when New Zealand vs India ODIs begin next month. Allen, Ferguson Return To New Zealand ODI Squad After 3 YearsFinn Allen last played an ODI for New Zealand back in September 2023. He will return to action in the last two ODIs against India.Lockie Ferguson, on the other hand, did not play an ODI for New Zealand since their 2023 World Cup semi-final against India, which took place at Wankhede Stadium. He, too, will be there for the remaining two India vs New Zealand ODIs.ALSO READNew Zealand T20I Squad vs India Updated As Mark Chapman, Zak Foulkes Ruled Out With InjuryAlong with them, Tim Seifert and Rachin Ravindra have been picked in the New Zealand squad for India ODIs after a long break.New Zealand Squad For India ODIs (1-3) Mitchell Santner (C), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Will Young, Blair TicknerNew Zealand Squad For India ODIs (4-5)Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay (WK), Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert (WK), Blair Tickner, Will YoungHow WTC Forced New Zealand To Pick Two SquadsSix players who play significant roles for New Zealand in Tests, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Nathan Smith, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell and red-ball captain Tom Latham, have all been left out of selections for the last two ODIs against India.New Zealand vs India ODIs will begin on November 4 and will end on November 15. The two-match Test series between the two sides will get underway after that, on November 19.New Zealand’s red-ball players will take a little break on the fourth and fifth ODIs, scheduled for November 13 and November 15, to prepare themselves better for the Tests, keeping in mind that they are well and truly in the race for the WTC final.New Zealand are placed third on the WTC table, after Australia and South Africa.ALSO READIndia vs West Indies Head to Head Records In T20Is, West Indies tour of India 2026, 3rd T20I
