Senior batsman Kane Williamson is likely to be out for a great chunk of the three-Test series, which commences on October 16 in India, because of a groin strain, with New Zealand naming Mark Chapman as his cover in the 17-man squad here on Wednesday.
Williamson, who has a groin strain, will delay his India trip, during which New Zealand plays three Tests at Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai.
But while senior batting all-rounder Michael Bracewell is available for the entire tour and plays only for the first Test at Bengaluru, spinner Ish Sodhi will play only during the second and third Tests.
Tom Latham will lead the Kiwis after fellow Kiwi Test cricketer and longtime co-captain Tim Southee stepped down as captain a few days back.
" Williamson experienced groin soreness in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle and will take some time to recover before he joins the Blackcaps Test squad in India," New Zealand Cricket said on their website.
According to New Zealand selector Sam Wells, this move was crucial in the sense that it gave the former skipper more time to rest.
"The advice we've received is that the best course of action is for Kane to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risking aggravating the injury," said Wells.
"The rehabilitation is going to plan so hopefully Kane will be available for the latter half of the tour," Chandimal said. "It's disappointing not to have him on board from the start of the tour, but it presents an opportunity for someone else to play a part in an important series," he added.
He averages over 42 from first-class cricket in 44 matches but still awaits a Test appearance.
"We believe Mark (Chapman) is one of our best players of spin and has a proven track record in the sub-continent," said Wells.
"Mark has demonstrated an ability to play spin well in the international arena, and with his first-class record being excellent, we view him as someone who can perform in the conditions that we are likely to face in India," he said.
Bracewell will leave after the first Test as his second child is due for birth and he will be replaced by Sodhi.
The first Test will be played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium from October 16-20; the second match will be played at Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, Gahunje, Pune from 24-28 October.
The final Test, the third and last, will be played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 1-5 November.
New Zealand Test squad in India Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, 1st Test only Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, 2nd & 3rd Test only, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
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