A concussion sustained during a pre-series training collision has ended Devon Conway‘s participation in the five-match ODI series against India. New Zealand confirmed on November 6, 2026 that the 35-year-old will play no further part in the campaign, which got under way in Auckland on November 4, 2026.
The incident happened at a fielding practice session on November 3, 2026, the day before the Auckland opener, when Conway and Matt Henry ran into each other. Both players were unavailable for that first match as a result. Henry has since been assessed and cleared, making him available for selection ahead of the second ODI in Wellington on November 7, 2026.
Two players have been added to New Zealand’s resources following Conway’s diagnosis. Nick Kelly, whose original call-up covered only the fourth and fifth matches of the series, has been pulled forward into the Wellington squad. To cover Kelly’s departure from the New Zealand A setup, Dale Phillips has been named as his replacement in that side, which faces India A in Lincoln from November 7, 2026. New Zealand were already short-handed before Conway’s injury, with Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman both having been ruled out ahead of the series, compounding the selection challenges for the hosts.
What does the series schedule look like from here?
Four matches remain after India’s five-wicket victory via the DLS method in Auckland on November 4, 2026 gave them a 1-0 lead. Wellington hosts the second ODI on November 7, 2026, with Hamilton staging the third on November 10. Mount Maunganui then hosts the final two fixtures on November 13 and November 15. New Zealand’s batting group, now without Conway across all four of those games, will need Kelly and the other available options to step up through the back half of the series.
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What comes next for Conway and New Zealand cricket?
Conway will now focus on his recovery with an eye on the Test series against India, which is scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19, 2026. That series is part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle, and New Zealand’s medical staff will monitor his progress closely in the days leading up to the first Test. Whether he can return to full fitness within a fortnight remains the key question for the selectors.
