Devon Conway ruled out of 1st ODI vs India with concussion after training collision
Synopsis
New Zealand's pre-series preparations have unravelled dramatically: Devon Conway has been ruled out of the first ODI against India with a concussion following a freak training collision with Matt Henry at Eden Park — the third batter the Black Caps have lost before a ball is bowled in the series, after Chapman and Ravindra were already sidelined.
Key Takeaways
Devon Conway was ruled out of the 1st ODI vs India on Wednesday at Eden Park, Auckland after sustaining a concussion in training.
Conway and fast bowler Matt Henry collided while attempting the same catch during a pre-match practice session on Tuesday .
Conway was taken to A&E for examination, which confirmed the concussion.
Mark Chapman (hamstring) and Rachin Ravindra (shoulder) had already been ruled out of the full five-match ODI series.
Tim Seifert , expanded to the full squad on Monday , is set to replace Conway directly, per captain Mitchell Santner .
India arrive on the back of a 3-2 T20I series win , with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the ODI side.
Devon Conway has been ruled out of New Zealand's first One-Day International against India at Eden Park, Auckland on Wednesday, 5 November 2026, after sustaining a concussion during a pre-match training session collision with fast bowler Matt Henry. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed the development on Tuesday, adding that Conway was taken to accident and emergency for further examination.
How the Injury Happened
Conway and Henry collided while both attempted to take the same catch during New Zealand's training session at Eden Park on Tuesday. Medical staff attended to both players immediately on the ground, and head injury assessments were conducted on-site.
NZC confirmed in an official statement: 'Conway was taken to A&E for further examination, which confirmed a concussion that has ruled him out of the first ODI against India tomorrow.' The statement added that 'both players will continue to be monitored' ahead of their involvement in the remainder of the Hero VIDA ODI series against India.
New Zealand's Mounting Injury Crisis
Conway's absence deepens an already significant injury headache for the Black Caps ahead of the five-match series. Batters Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra had already been ruled out of the entire series — Chapman with a hamstring injury and Ravindra with a shoulder complaint — before Conway's concussion was confirmed.
The combined loss of three frontline batters represents a considerable dent to New Zealand's batting depth. Notably, this is the third injury blow New Zealand have absorbed before a single ball has been bowled in the ODI leg of the tour.
Seifert Set to Step In
Tim Seifert, who had originally been included in the squad only for the first two ODIs, was expanded to the full series squad on Monday. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner indicated on the eve of the match that Seifert would most likely take Conway's place directly.
'I guess Seifert is the back-up batter in our squad. So it'll probably be a direct swap if Dev's unavailable, which is a shame. He [Conway] is obviously very good in one-day cricket and was biding his time in the T20 series. And I guess another one of those freak accidents that happens,' Santner told reporters on the eve of the match.
India Arrive at Auckland on a High
India enter the ODI series buoyed by a 3-2 T20I series victory over New Zealand and will welcome back two of their biggest names in the 50-over format. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the one-day side for the series, while Shubman Gill will captain the team for the first three matches before Shreyas Iyer takes charge for the final two.
The first of the five ODIs bowls off at Eden Park on Wednesday, with New Zealand facing the prospect of fielding a significantly reshuffled batting line-up against a visiting side in confident form.
Point of View
It is a selection-depth stress test. The reliance on Seifert, who was originally earmarked for just two games, underlines how thin the batting reserves are. For India, Conway's absence removes one of the most technically assured left-handers in ODI cricket from a line-up that was already depleted; the easier path to a series lead just got easier. The broader question New Zealand management must answer is whether their squad construction, given the known injury risks of a bilateral series immediately following a T20I leg, was sufficiently insured.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Devon Conway been ruled out of the first ODI against India?
Devon Conway has been ruled out due to a concussion sustained during a training session collision with fast bowler Matt Henry at Eden Park on Tuesday. He was taken to accident and emergency, where the concussion was confirmed by medical staff.
Who will replace Devon Conway in the New Zealand XI for the first ODI?
Captain Mitchell Santner indicated that Tim Seifert, who was originally in the squad only for the first two ODIs before being extended to the full series, is the likely direct replacement for Conway in the batting line-up.
Which other New Zealand players are injured ahead of the India ODI series?
Batter Mark Chapman was ruled out of the entire five-match series with a hamstring injury, and Rachin Ravindra was sidelined with a shoulder injury before the series began. Conway's concussion is the third batter absence New Zealand have had to manage.
Where and when is the first ODI between New Zealand and India being played?
The first of the five-match Hero VIDA ODI series is scheduled for Wednesday at Eden Park in Auckland. India arrive having already won the preceding T20I series 3-2.
What is India's squad situation for the ODI series?
India welcome back Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the ODI side following the T20I leg. Shubman Gill will captain the team for the first three matches, with Shreyas Iyer taking over the captaincy for the final two games.
