New Zealand Cricket has confirmed that it will field two distinct squads for the five-match ODI series against India. Because a Test series follows the white-ball games, selectors have named a split squad, with one group slated to appear throughout the white-ball contests and another earmarked for only part of the series before turning attention to the longer format.
The opening match is scheduled for November 4 at Eden Park in Auckland. The series will consist of five ODIs, beginning on that date and progressing over the following days. Eden Park in Auckland will host the opening match.
Of the players named, six have been selected to feature in every one of the five ODIs. This core unit provides the side with a stable foundation across the entire series. Mitchell Santner, who has been appointed captain, leads this group of six, ensuring leadership remains constant from the first ball to the last.
After those games they will step aside to prepare for the Test series that follows the ODI contests.
Among the squad, Test specialists such as Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra are slated to play only the opening three matches. After those games they will step aside to prepare for the Test series that follows the ODI contests. Their limited participation means the side will see a change in personnel after the third match, with the Test-focused players departing to join the longer-format camp.
To maintain playing numbers for the last two ODIs, seven additional players will be brought into the squad. This group includes Finn Allen and Lockie Ferguson, both of whom are returning to ODI duty, along with Tim Seifert. Their arrival coincides with the departure of the Test specialists, allowing New Zealand to field a refreshed line-up for the concluding matches.
Finn Allen and Lockie Ferguson are noted as being back in the ODI setup after their last appearances in 2023. Tim Seifert is also included in the squad, marking his return to the ODI setup alongside the returning pair.