# Injury Blow for Kiwis Ahead of India Tour as Chapman and Foulkes Sidelined from T20Is

> New Zealand have suffered a double injury blow before their upcoming five-match T20I series against India, losing Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes. Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner have been drafted as replacements.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-10-09 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/new-zealand-ko-india-sirija-se-pahale-laga-dabala-jhataka-do-bare-khilari-hue-ti20-sirija-se-bahara-45104 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Cricket, India vs New Zealand, Mark Chapman, Zak Foulkes, Josh Clarkson, Blair Tickner, T20I Series, Mitchell Santner

Preparations for the high-stakes T20 international contest between New Zealand and India have hit an early bump for the home side following significant fitness concerns. Two frontline players have been ruled out of the forthcoming five-match assignment after sustaining muscle and joint injuries. Dynamic middle-order batter Mark Chapman is sidelined due to an acute thigh strain, while promising youngster Zak Foulkes is incapacitated by a painful hip problem. Reacting swiftly to the setbacks, team selectors have called up all-rounder Josh Clarkson alongside pacer Blair Tickner to plug the gaps before the series kicks off on October 22.

## Origin of the Physical Setbacks
Chapman ran into trouble last month while participating in the European T20 League, where he pulled a hamstring muscle during match action. While the setback rules him out of the shortest format, medical staff remain hopeful that he will recover in time to feature in the subsequent ODI fixtures against India. Meanwhile, Foulkes suffered his injury unexpectedly during a routine net session. The right hip issue flared up while training, leaving him unable to continue. Unlike Chapman, there is currently no definite recovery window established for Foulkes, keeping his rehabilitation status uncertain for the immediate future.

## Head Coach Walter Expresses Confidence in Replacements
Reflecting on the squad changes, New Zealand head coach Walter voiced his disappointment over losing both players and wished them a prompt rehabilitation. He noted that the replacements bring ample match readiness, observing, 
> Both players are extremely eager to feature in this competitive T20 series.
 The team management underscored that having seasoned campaigners like Clarkson and Tickner ready to step in cushions the blow and preserves the side's overall tactical depth.

## Rematch of the World Cup Final and Series Schedule
This bilateral meeting marks the first twenty-over encounter between the two cricketing powerhouses since their blockbuster global summit clash earlier this year, where India dominated New Zealand by 96 runs in the Men's T20 World Cup final. The redemption campaign gets underway with back-to-back games in Christchurch on October 22 and October 24. Action then relocates to Wellington for the third fixture on October 27, followed by the penultimate match in Auckland on October 30. The tour reaches its conclusion on November 1 with the fifth and final encounter in Hamilton. The Board of Control for Cricket in India had previously formalized its squad selection for the tour.

## Revised New Zealand Squad Structure
Spin-bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner captains the squad, supported by top-order firepower featuring Devon Conway, Finn Allen, and Tim Seifert. The middle-order and versatile all-round slots will be manned by Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Bevon Jacobs, and the incoming Josh Clarkson. The bowling resources boast serious pace and variations, consisting of Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, and replacement seamer Blair Tickner.

## What this means for you
This development directly shifts playing conditions, tactical matchups, and viewer expectations ahead of the five-match series.

- **For Cricket Followers:** Fans will miss Chapman's explosive presence in the middle overs during the upcoming five-match rubber. This forces tactical recalculations and introduces fresh faces into competitive high-intensity action.
- **For Fantasy Sports Players:** Participants assembling digital squads must instantly remove Chapman and Foulkes before submitting lineups. Incorporating replacements like Clarkson or Tickner prior to October 22 could decide key point tallies.
- **For Series Dynamics:** The absence of key personnel tests New Zealand's squad depth early against an in-form visiting team. India will enter the opening fixtures with an immediate psychological and tactical edge.
- **For Replacement Players:** Clarkson and Tickner gain a critical platform to cement their positions in the national setup. Convincing performances could secure them regular spots for future international white-ball tours.

## Why this happened
The sudden squad restructuring was triggered by recent match-related strains and unforeseen training mishaps.

- **Competitive League Strain:** Mark Chapman suffered a severe hamstring injury while competing in the European T20 League last month. The high-intensity schedule aggravated the muscle, ruling him out of immediate competition.
- **Training Ground Incident:** Zak Foulkes sustained his physical setback unexpectedly during preparations in the nets. A sudden strain in his right hip incapacitated him, leaving medical staff without a clear recovery timeline.
- **Precautionary Management:** Team officials opted against risking half-fit players ahead of an exhaustive international schedule. The decision prioritizes thorough rehabilitation while providing match-ready replacements an immediate opportunity.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Which New Zealand players have been ruled out of the T20 series against India?
Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes have been ruled out of the series due to injuries.

### 2. Who has been named as their replacements in the squad?
All-rounder Josh Clarkson and fast bowler Blair Tickner have been called up to replace them.

### 3. How did Mark Chapman pick up his injury?
Chapman sustained a hamstring muscle strain while playing in the European T20 League last month.

### 4. When does the T20 series between India and New Zealand begin?
The opening match of the series will take place on October 22 in Christchurch.

### 5. Who is leading the New Zealand squad in this T20 series?
Mitchell Santner is captaining the New Zealand team for the five-match series.

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