New Delhi, 19 September (H.S.): The Indian cricket team will tour New Zealand next month, where it will play a five-match T20 International series, a five-match ODI series and a two-match Test series. Ahead of the tour, the hosts have suffered a setback, with New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra sustaining a shoulder injury.

Ravindra injured his right shoulder while attempting to take a diving catch during a promotional shoot in Auckland recently. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), an initial assessment conducted by medical specialists on September 18 found no signs of serious damage. However, Ravindra’s return to competitive cricket will depend on his progress during the initial weeks of his rehabilitation.

It is currently unclear whether Ravindra will be fit to feature in New Zealand’s five-match T20 International series against India, beginning on October 22.

New Zealand men’s head coach Rob Walter said that, with a busy schedule of Test cricket over the next six months, the team does not want to rush Ravindra back before he is fully ready.

“Given the busy Test schedule over the next six months, we don’t want to rush Rachin back before he is ready. His rehabilitation has been going very well, and we look forward to welcoming him back soon,” Walter said.

The series between India and New Zealand will begin on October 22, leaving approximately one month before the opening T20 International.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar