Huge BLOW for New Zealand; Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra & THIS all-rounder injured ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

New Zealand are squaring off with USA in a warm-up match on February 5.

New Zealand Cricket Team are gearing up for T20 World Cup 2026, which will begin on February 7. The Black Caps are placed in Group D in the tournament and will play their opening game against Afghanistan on February 8 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Mitchell Santner will captain New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026. They will head into the tournament on the back of poor outings in the five-match T20I series against India, losing the campaign 4-1. They are on backfoot after the dismal performance and aim for a better show in the ICC tournament.

New Zealand are playing a warm-up match against USA on February 5 (Thursday) at DY Patil Sports Academy, which will help them to prepare for the upcoming games. However, the Mitchell Santner & Co. have suffered big blows just a few days ahead of the T20 World Cup, as their three crucial players have suffered injury scares.

Fin Allen, Rachin Ravindra & Michael Bracewell suffer injury scare

Notably, key Kiwi players like Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, and Michael Bracewell were absent from the warm-up against USA. In an official post on X (formerly Twitter), New Zealand revealed that they were stopped from participating in the match due to injury scares.

While Allen was ruled out due to a shoulder injury, Bracewell is recovering from a calf injury. Ravindra missed the game due to illness.

“Rachin Ravindra (illness), Finn Allen (shoulder), Michael Bracewell (calf) will not take the field to prioritise their fitness for Group matches, and Lockie Ferguson who is managing his return to play,” Black Caps informed on X.

Notably, the Black Caps have already battled with multiple injuries in their squad in recent times. Captain Santner missed the ODI series against India in January due to a groin injury and only featured in the T20I series.

Pacer Lockie Ferguson recovered from a calf injury last month and joined the squad in the last two T20Is against India.

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