New Zealand recall Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert for the India ODIs

New Zealand have named split squads for next month's five-match ODI series against India, recalling Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert for the last two matches

New Zealand Cricket announced two squads for the series, one for the first three one-day internationals and a second for the fourth and fifth. Mitchell Santner captains both, and the series opens on 4 November at Eden Park in Auckland.

Rachin Ravindra returns from the shoulder injury that ruled him out of the preceding T20I series and is in the group for the first three matches.

Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert come in for the fourth and fifth games, part of a seven-player intake that arrives once the red-ball contingent leaves for Wellington.

Two squads for one series

The squad for the first three ODIs is Santner, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner and Will Young.

For the last two, Santner is joined by Allen, Bracewell, Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Duffy, Matt Fisher, Ferguson, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly, Seifert, Tickner and Young.

In all, 21 players are involved across the five matches, with the Test group heading to Wellington after the third ODI to prepare for the first Test at the Basin Reserve on 19 November.

The core of the side is the one that won 2-1 in India in January, New Zealand's first bilateral ODI series win on Indian soil.

Long waits end for Allen and Ferguson

Allen and Ferguson have not played a one-day international since 2023. Ferguson's last was the World Cup semi-final against India in Mumbai.

Seifert's most recent ODI came 18 months ago, in the home series against Pakistan.

"It's also great to bring guys like Lockie, Finn, and Tim back into the One Day unit," head coach Rob Walter said. "They're all exciting and explosive players in their own right and are proven match winners."

Walter said the two T20 specialists now had "a great opportunity for them to push their case in the longer format".

Three bowlers still unavailable

Zak Foulkes (hip flexor), Will O'Rourke (calf) and Ben Sears (ankle) were not considered for selection as they continue their rehabilitation.

Foulkes had already been ruled out of the T20I series that precedes the ODIs, along with Chapman, who returns for the 50-over matches.

An eye on the 2027 World Cup

Walter framed the series as preparation for the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, which South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will host.

"With the ODI World Cup just one year away it's important for us to also view these matches as valuable preparation for that event," he said. "Bringing in seven players for the final ODIs allows us to test our depth and see how those players fare against a world-class side."

The split is also a scheduling decision. "Obviously every Test match is important for us in terms of championship points, which is why we're extracting some of that squad early for additional preparation before the first Test against India at the Basin Reserve on November 19," Walter said.

Coaching group splits after the third ODI

Walter stays with the ODI squad for the final two matches, supported by Northern Districts strength and conditioning coach Corey Miles.

Bowling coach Jacob Oram, departing batting coach Luke Ronchi and strength and conditioning coach Chris Donaldson lead the Test preparation in Wellington, where newly appointed batting coach BJ Watling joins them.

New Zealand Cricket said the 14-player Test squad would be named in early November.

India play five T20Is from 22 October before the one-day series begins in Auckland, with the two Tests to follow in Wellington and Christchurch.

Catch the match live updates, highlights, and full match coverage on CricRadio. Get fast, accurate, and ad-free updates throughout the game. Download the CricRadio app from the Play Store to stay connected. You can also get the live scores of cricket series directly on the CricRadio website for real-time coverage.