New Zealand will be without two key players for the five-match T20I series against India, scheduled from October 22 to November 1, 2026. New Zealand Cricket confirmed on October 9, 2026 that Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes are both unavailable, with Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner brought into the squad as cover.
Chapman sustained a left hamstring tear while featuring in the European T20 Premier League last month. Foulkes, meanwhile, picked up a right hip flexor injury during a Canterbury training session.
The pair join Rachin Ravindra on the sidelines, with Ravindra ruled out after landing awkwardly on a safety mat during a promotional shoot; he is expected to return for the ODI leg of the tour.
“I’m gutted for Mark and Zak and I wish them both a smooth recovery. We’re fortunate to be able to lean on the expertise of Josh and Blair. I know they’re both very excited to be involved in what’s shaping up to be an epic T20 series,” New Zealand coach Rob Walter said in a statement.
What are the recovery timelines for Chapman and Foulkes?
Chapman’s prognosis is relatively encouraging. New Zealand Cricket confirmed he is on track to be available for the ODI series against India, which runs from November 4 to November 15, 2026. That timeline suggests his hamstring tear, while serious enough to rule him out of the T20Is, is not expected to keep him sidelined for an extended period. New Zealand Cricket stated he ‘is on track to be available for the ODIs against India’.
The picture is less clear for Foulkes. NZC noted that Foulkes’ ‘return to play timeline is still to be determined’ following the hip flexor injury sustained in training with Canterbury. No target date has been set for his comeback, and the management will monitor his progress before making further assessments.
Who replaces them and what does New Zealand’s pace attack look like?
Clarkson and Tickner have been drafted in to fill the two vacancies. Both are experienced campaigners at domestic level and their inclusion ensures New Zealand maintain depth across their pace and allround options for the series.
New Zealand’s pace resources for the T20I series are considerable. Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy form the core of the fast bowling group, with Tickner now added to that mix. All-rounders Nathan Smith and Clarkson provide additional seam options lower in the order. Notably, Adam Milne is set to return to T20I cricket for the first time in over a year, giving the management further flexibility across the five matches.
New Zealand squad for T20I series against India:
Mitchell Santner (c), 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, Blair Tickner
