Chapman, Foulkes out of NZ squad for India T20Is; Clarkson, Tickner in
Synopsis
New Zealand's preparations for their five-match home T20I series against India have been disrupted by twin injury blows — Mark Chapman's hamstring tear and Zak Foulkes's hip flexor injury — forcing NZC to call up Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner. The series begins in Christchurch on 22 October, months after India thrashed New Zealand by 96 runs in the T20 World Cup final.
Key Takeaways
Mark Chapman (left hamstring tear) and Zak Foulkes (right hip flexor) have been ruled out of New Zealand's five-match T20I series against India .
Josh Clarkson (all-rounder) and Blair Tickner (fast bowler) named as replacements in a 16-member squad .
Chapman is on track to return for the ODI series; Foulkes's return timeline remains undetermined.
The T20I series opens in Christchurch on 22 October and concludes in Hamilton on 1 November .
India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final earlier this year.
New Zealand have been dealt a significant squad setback ahead of their five-match T20I series against India, with both Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes ruled out due to injury, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed on Friday, 9 October. All-rounder Josh Clarkson and fast bowler Blair Tickner have been named as their replacements in a revised 16-member squad.
Injury Details
Chapman sustained a left hamstring tear during the European T20 league last month and is reportedly on track to return for the ODI leg of India's tour. Foulkes, meanwhile, suffered a right hip flexor injury during a recent Canterbury Men's training session, and his return-to-play timeline remains undetermined, according to NZC.
Replacements Named
NZC confirmed the changes in an official statement: 'Allrounder Josh Clarkson and fast bowler Blair Tickner have been called in to the T20I squad to replace Chapman and Foulkes.' Head coach Rob Walter expressed sympathy for the injured duo while welcoming the replacements.
'I'm gutted for Mark and Zak and I wish them both a smooth recovery,' said Walter. '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.'
Series Schedule
The five-match T20I series commences in Christchurch on 22 October, with the second match also at the same venue on 24 October. The two sides then travel to Wellington for the third T20I on 27 October, before matches in Auckland on 30 October and Hamilton on 1 November.
Context: India vs New Zealand Rivalry
The series carries added significance given recent history — the two sides last met in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year, where India registered a commanding 96-run victory. New Zealand will be eager to reverse that result on home soil, though back-to-back injury blows to their batting and bowling resources complicate their preparations.
Notably, this is not the first time New Zealand have been forced into squad reshuffling before a high-profile home series, but losing a specialist batter and a pace option simultaneously adds pressure to a side already navigating a deep rebuild phase under Mitchell Santner's captaincy.
Updated New Zealand Squad
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.
With the first T20I now less than two weeks away, all eyes will be on how Clarkson and Tickner settle into the squad and whether Chapman can recover fully in time for the ODI series that follows.
Point of View
While Foulkes had been among the more promising fast-bowling prospects in the NZC pipeline. Losing both simultaneously before a five-match series against the reigning T20 World Cup champions — who beat New Zealand by 96 runs in that very final — leaves the hosts thinner than the squad list suggests. The real question is whether Santner's side can convert home conditions into an equaliser, or whether India's depth simply overwhelms a reshuffled New Zealand once again.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes ruled out of the New Zealand T20I squad?
Mark Chapman was ruled out due to a left hamstring tear sustained during the European T20 league last month, while Zak Foulkes suffered a right hip flexor injury during a Canterbury Men's training session. NZC announced both replacements on Friday, 9 October.
Who replaced Chapman and Foulkes in New Zealand's T20I squad?
All-rounder Josh Clarkson and fast bowler Blair Tickner were named as replacements in New Zealand's revised 16-member squad for the five-match T20I series against India.
When and where does the India vs New Zealand T20I series start?
The series begins in Christchurch on 22 October 2024, with the second match also in Christchurch on 24 October. Subsequent matches are scheduled in Wellington (27 October), Auckland (30 October), and Hamilton (1 November).
Will Mark Chapman be available for the ODI series against India?
According to NZC, Chapman is on track to be available for the ODI leg of India's tour, though his return depends on the hamstring tear healing as expected. Foulkes's return timeline remains undetermined.
What is the recent head-to-head context between India and New Zealand in T20Is?
India and New Zealand met in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year, with India winning by a comprehensive 96-run margin. The upcoming series gives New Zealand an opportunity to respond on home soil.
