Auckland, 23 September (H.S.):

New Zealand have announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20 International series against India, with white-ball captain Mitchell Santner set to lead the side. The squad features seven fast bowlers.

According to New Zealand Cricket, the five-match series will begin on October 22 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The matches will be played across four cities over an 11-day period. The series is part of India’s tour of New Zealand, which also includes five ODIs and two Test matches.

New Zealand Cricket said more than 76,000 tickets have already been sold for the tour. Thirteen members of New Zealand’s squad were part of the side that finished runners-up to India in this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final.

Spin-bowling all-rounder Michael Bracewell and fast bowler Adam Milne have returned to the squad after missing the World Cup through injury. The 34-year-old Milne has played 243 T20 matches, including 56 internationals, and returns to the national side after an absence of more than a year. He joins an experienced pace attack featuring Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy, while Jack Foulkes and Nathan Smith have also been included.

However, batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out of the T20I series with an injury. He dislocated his right shoulder during a promotional event last week. He is expected to undergo around six weeks of rehabilitation and is targeting a return for the ODI series, which begins at Eden Park in Auckland on November 4.

New Zealand have reunited aggressive opening pair Tim Seifert and Finn Allen at the top of the order for the first time since the T20 World Cup. In the World Cup semifinal, Allen smashed an unbeaten century from 33 balls against South Africa at Eden Gardens, while Seifert played a crucial role in New Zealand’s nine-wicket victory with a 33-ball 58.

Seifert was also named Player of the Tournament in The Hundred, scoring 394 runs at a strike rate of 168. In the final, he produced a match-winning 72 off 38 balls.

Fast bowler Ben Sears was not considered for selection as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

New Zealand squad for the T20 International series against India: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Jack Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar