ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rachin Ravindra's future laid out as New Zealand issue an official update

New Zealand National Cricket Team head coach Gary Stead has shared an update on the injury concerns surrounding key players Rachin Ravindra and Lockie Ferguson. Rachin Ravindra suffered a nasty blow to the forehead while attempting a catch during the 38th over of their ODI tri-series match against Pakistan last week.

This forced the young sensation to leave the field and he missed New Zealand’s thrilling win over South Africa and a five-wicket win over Pakistan in the Tri-nation ODI series. On the other hand, Ferguson has been recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up during the ILT20 2025.

The pleasing thing is he's progressing well: Gary Stead on Rachin Ravindra

However, the Blackcaps have perfectly used the recently concluded Tri-nation ODI series to fine-tune their game and preparations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting on February 19 in Karachi, but the injury troubles remain a big concern for them.

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Well, Gary Stead revealed that Rachin had “a headache for a few days" since suffering a nasty blow to the forehead, but Rachin Ravindra is progressing well, and they are following head injury assessment protocols. Notably, Ravindra has already returned to the nets.

Stead said in a video posted by the Black Caps, X: “Rachin obviously got that nasty blow in Lahore to the forehead. The pleasing thing is he's progressing well. So, we are following HIA protocols at the moment. He’s had a headache for a few days, but that's subsiding, which is really good news. He hit a few balls tonight for the first time, which is good. But it's still a few more steps for him to go through before he would be considered fit for play.”

Lockie Ferguson likely to play ICC Champions Trophy 2025 warm-up match against Afghanistan

Meanwhile, the New Zealand head coach shared a positive update on Lockie Ferguson's recovery from a hamstring injury.

Stead said that the Stars pacer has started bowling again, gradually increasing his intensity, and the Kiwis are hoping that he will be fit to play in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Pakistan on February 19.

New Zealand will play a warm-up match against Afghanistan in Karachi on Sunday, February 16, ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and Ferguson can have some warm-up before making a comeback to the national fold in the marquee event.

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Stead stated, “And Lockie has been out there. He has had a couple of bowls since he has been here, so the intensity was up a little bit more tonight. Pleased with how he's tracking and certainly will look to have him playing in one of the next two games. If anyone’s got small niggles, we’re likely to be conservative around that, with the Champions Trophy just around the corner.”

Head coach Gary Stead with an update on Rachin Ravindra and Lockie Ferguson ahead of the ODI Tri-Series Final 🗣️ #3Nations1Trophy #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/lZRts2nP3z

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 13, 2025

Notably, Mitchell Santner will lead the Black Caps for the first time in an ICC event. They named several fresh faces in the squad for the eight-nation tournament.

Here’s New Zealand’s final squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears.