All-rounder Rachin Ravindra dislocated his right shoulder in a promotional shoot in Auckland and is a doubt for next month’s T20 series against India for New Zealand.
Ravindra sustained the injury on Wednesday during a commercial shoot with broadcaster Sky in which he was caught by a forward thrower, New Zealand Cricket said in a statement Saturday. The 26-year-old was medically evaluated on Friday and specialists have determined that there is no significant damage to the structure. If he progresses through the early stages of his rehabilitation, he will be fit for competitive cricket again.
However, Ravindra’s presence in New Zealand’s five-match T20 series with India is in doubt because of the injury. The first match is set for October 22 and there are four more T20Is to follow. New Zealand will then host India for five One-Day International and two Test series in November.
New Zealand assess injury and commercial shoot procedures
New Zealand performance manager Mike Sandle said the team was disappointed with the injury and it was a “freak accident”. Commercial activity with players is agreed in advance and proper precautions are taken, he said; the board would continue to review the procedures for such events.
Ravindra has emerged as a vital cog in New Zealand’s teams in all the forms of the game. He has played 115 international games and is capable of batting both at the top and middle order of the order as a left-hander, and can also spin with his left arm.
During the 2023 50-over World Cup, he was the top run scorer for New Zealand and at the 2026 T20 World Cup, where New Zealand made the finals, he was the top wicket taker.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter has emphasised that the operation on Ravindra will be handled with care as he looks to recover, given the hectic Test schedule ahead. Since the immediate priority is therefore rehabilitation, rather than setting an early return date, the conference concentrated on the following key themes.
For the time being, Ravindra has a chance of being fit for the India series, but this will become evident in the next couple of weeks as he continues on the path to recovery.
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