Rachin Ravindra ruled out of Australia T20Is with freak injury

The 25-year-old New Zealand National Cricket Team batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I against the Australia National Cricket Team.

Rachin Ravindra will miss out on the Chappell-Hadlee trophy T20I series against the Aussies after suffering a freak injury during a fielding practice session recently.

Rachin Ravindra sustained a major laceration to his upper lip and nose area - Rob Walter

New Zealand and Australia are set to lock horns with each other in a three-match T20I series on October 1, 3, and 4 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

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However, before the series, they have lost several players to injuries, with the latest one being Rachin Ravindra, who has enjoyed a great run with the bat in T20Is in 2025, scoring four 30-plus scores in the last five outings.

Before Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner (abdominal injury), Will O'Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), Finn Allen (foot), Adam Milne (ankle), and Lockie Ferguson (hamstring) also suffered injuries.

Meanwhile, in an official statement released by NZC, it was mentioned that the young all-rounder collided with a perimeter boundary hoarding during fielding practice. Even though Rachin passed the concussion tests, he suffered a facial laceration, which required stitches and will take time to heal.

Kiwi head coach Rob Walter said they are disappointed to lose Rachin Ravindra for the series and are hopeful of him being fit for the upcoming England series. He said:

“We’re all really disappointed for Rachin to be forced to miss the series. He sustained a major laceration to his upper lip and nose area which required specialist and intricate stitching and will take time to heal.

“Rachin is obviously an important player for us, but his health and wellbeing is our top priority, and so the decision was made to send him home to recover with an eye to being available for the England series in two weeks’ time.”

James Neesham replaces Rachin Ravindra in the squad

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has named James Neesham as the replacement for Rachin Ravindra in the T20I squad for the Australia series.

Talking about this, Rob Walter hailed the pace-bowling all-rounder and said that he brings a plethora of experience with himself that will help the team in the Chappell-Hadlee trophy. He stated:

“We’re lucky to be able to call on Jimmy who brings all his experience and all-round capabilities. It’s going to be a big night at Bay Oval and I know we’re all looking forward to getting the Chappell-Hadlee underway.”

It's a tremendous honour to have the trophy in my family name - Sir Richard Hadlee

In an official statement issued by NZC, Sir Richard Hadlee said that having a trophy named after him is a tremendous honour and advised the Michael Bracewell-led side to perform well and bring the trophy home.

“It's a tremendous honour to have the trophy in my family name and it’s great to hear the players still really value it,” said Hadlee.

“In any sport between New Zealand and Australia, the rivalry is always there and it’s certainly the case for cricket given the storied history between the sides. We’ve always been a slightly underrated team and we’ve got to lift our game to have the better of the bigger brother."

“The message for Michael Bracewell and the team to play with no fear. There should be no fear anymore against Australia — that sort of thing is gone and to be the best you’ve got to beat the best."

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