Rachin Ravindra dislocates shoulder at promo shoot, doubtful for India T20Is
Synopsis
Rachin Ravindra's bid to face defending T20 World champions India has been derailed by a freak dislocation — sustained not in a match, but during a promotional shoot. With no major structural damage found, the race against time begins as New Zealand prepares to name its squad next week for the five-match series starting 22 October.
Key Takeaways
Rachin Ravindra dislocated his right shoulder during a promotional shoot in Auckland on Wednesday .
Medical specialists found no major structural damage after assessing the injury on Friday.
His availability for the five-match T20I series against India , beginning 22 October , remains uncertain.
Performance Manager Mike Sandle called it a 'freak accident' and said NZC will review its protocols for commercial shoots.
Head coach Rob Walter flagged a heavy Test schedule over the next six months as a reason to avoid rushing Ravindra's return.
Ravindra has scored 759 runs and taken 26 wickets in 52 T20Is ; Mitchell Santner is tipped to captain the side.
New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is doubtful for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India after dislocating his right shoulder during a promotional shoot in Auckland on Wednesday. The injury, sustained while attempting a diving catch during filming, has cast a shadow over his availability ahead of a series set to begin on 22 October.
How the Injury Happened
Ravindra suffered the dislocation after landing awkwardly on a safety mat while completing a catch attempt during the shoot. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed that the activity had been agreed upon in advance by all parties and that appropriate safety measures were in place, describing it as an unfortunate freak accident.
Mike Sandle, New Zealand's Performance Manager, said: 'It was a really unfortunate injury. We're gutted for Rachin and our key priority is making sure he recovers well and gets back on the field as soon as he can. As with all commercial shoots involving our players, the activities were agreed in advance by all parties, with appropriate safety measures in place. It was a bit of a freak accident, and we'll continue to review our processes around events like this in the future.'
Medical Assessment and Recovery Timeline
Medical specialists assessed the injury on Friday and found no major structural damage, offering some relief to New Zealand's management. However, Ravindra's return to competitive action will hinge entirely on how he responds to rehabilitation over the coming weeks. Given that the New Zealand squad is expected to be announced next week, a final call on his inclusion remains pending.
Caution Over Test Schedule Ahead
Black Caps head coach Rob Walter indicated that the team would not rush Ravindra back, particularly with a demanding Test schedule on the horizon. 'With a heavy schedule of Test cricket in the next six months, we don't want to rush Rachin back sooner than we need to. He's in great hands in terms of his rehab and we look forward to welcoming him back soon,' Walter said. Notably, this cautious approach underlines how central Ravindra has become to New Zealand's multi-format plans.
Ravindra's Role and Statistics
Ravindra has cemented his place as a key figure in New Zealand's white-ball setup. Across 52 T20 internationals, he has accumulated 759 runs with a highest score of 69, while also contributing 26 wickets with best figures of 4/27. His absence, if confirmed, would be a significant blow to the Black Caps as they face the defending T20 World champions India.
Series and Squad Update
The five-match T20I series is scheduled to commence on 22 October, with Mitchell Santner tipped to captain the New Zealand side. The full squad announcement is expected next week, at which point further clarity on Ravindra's participation is likely to emerge. NZC has also stated it will review its processes around commercial shoots involving players following this incident.
Point of View
The line between cricket commitments and commercial ones is increasingly blurred, and governing bodies everywhere are scrambling to manage that risk.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Rachin Ravindra injure his shoulder?
Ravindra dislocated his right shoulder while attempting a diving catch during a promotional shoot in Auckland on Wednesday. According to New Zealand Cricket, he landed awkwardly on a safety mat while completing the catch.
Is Rachin Ravindra ruled out of the India T20I series?
Ravindra has not been officially ruled out, but his participation is in doubt. Medical specialists found no major structural damage, and his availability will depend on how he responds to rehabilitation before the squad is named next week.
When does the New Zealand vs India T20I series begin?
The five-match T20I series between New Zealand and India is scheduled to begin on 22 October. The New Zealand squad is expected to be announced the week prior.
Who will captain New Zealand in the T20I series against India?
Mitchell Santner is tipped to captain New Zealand in the five-match T20I series against India, according to reports ahead of the official squad announcement.
What are Rachin Ravindra's T20I career statistics?
Ravindra has played 52 T20 internationals, scoring 759 runs with a highest score of 69, and has taken 26 wickets with best figures of 4/27, making him a key all-round asset for New Zealand.
