Lockie Ferguson ruled out of India T20Is, Matt Fisher called up

New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series against India with a calf injury, and Matt Fisher has been called up as his replacement for the final two T20Is. The fifth and last match is on Sunday, 1 November at Seddon Park, Hamilton, starting at 12:30 PM IST.

Matt Henry is also out of the series. India lead the New Zealand vs India T20I Series 2026 3-1 with one match left.

The injury

New Zealand Cricket said scans showed a low-grade tear in Ferguson’s calf, which needs one to two weeks of recovery, Business Standard reports. Coach Rob Walter said the team was gutted for him, adding that Ferguson had wanted to play in front of a sell-out home crowd at Eden Park but is determined to be back for the ODIs.

Henry was assessed after pain in his right leg. NZC said he remains on track to return for the ODI series. The Black Caps hope to have both bowlers fit for the ODIs against India, which start on 4 November.

State of the series

India won the first three T20Is, by 4 wickets on 22 October, 4 wickets on 24 October and 6 wickets on 27 October. New Zealand won the fourth on 30 October by 87 runs, making 259/7 and restricting India to 172/9. The ICC notes that Glenn Phillips has carried a rich vein of form through the series.

India captain Shreyas Iyer said his side would have to go back to the drawing board ahead of the fifth T20I in Hamilton. He added that some players are in New Zealand for the first time and need time to adjust.

What’s next

After the T20Is, the five-match ODI series begins on 4 November with the first ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, at 7:30 AM IST. The second ODI is on 7 November, also at 7:30 AM IST.