Ravindra Doubtful for India Series After Freak Shoulder Injury

New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is facing a race against time to be fit for the upcoming T20 International series against India after dislocating his right shoulder during a promotional shoot in Auckland on Wednesday.

The injury occurred when Ravindra landed awkwardly on a safety mat while attempting a diving catch for a Sky television campaign.

While initial assessments by medical specialists on Friday cleared the 24-year-old of major structural damage, his availability for the five-match T20I series—which starts on October 22—remains in serious doubt. Medical staff emphasized that his return-to-play timeline will depend entirely on how his shoulder responds during the initial weeks of rehabilitation.

BLACKCAPS Head Coach Rob Walter signaled a cautious approach, prioritizing Ravindra's long-term health over a quick return.

"With a heavy schedule of Test cricket in the next six months, we don’t want to rush Rachin back sooner than we need to," Walter said.

BLACKCAPS Performance Manager Mike Sandle described the incident as a "freak accident," confirming that while safety protocols and agreed activity guidelines were met, team processes regarding commercial commitments will be reviewed.

"It was a really unfortunate injury," Sandle said. "We’re gutted for Rachin, and our key priority is making sure he recovers well and gets back on the field as soon as he can." Photo - NZC