The Blackcaps have welcomed back three key players for the first three one-day internationals against India, starting in Napier next Wednesday.
All-rounders Mitchell Santner and Colin de Grandhomme, and wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham have been named in the 14-man squad, after missing the recent 3-0 series sweep over Sri Lanka.
Latham and de Grandhomme slot straight back in, after being rested for the Sri Lankan series, while Santner, who last played an ODI against England in Christchurch last March, is fully fit again, after making a successful return from knee surgery in last Friday's one-off T20 against Sri Lanka in Auckland.
Tim Seifert makes way for Latham as the specialist wicketkeeper, while de Grandhomme returns in place of Jimmy Neesham.
Neesham suffered a hamstring strain in the third ODI against Sri Lanka and will have to prove his fitness in the national domestic T20 competition before being considered for the final two matches of the series, along with Todd Astle, who's still recovering from a knee injury suffered in the lead-up to the Pakistan series in the UAE.
Doug Bracewell keeps his spot in the squad, despite not playing in any of the three 50-over games against Sri Lanka.
Coach Gary Stead said the composition of the squad reflects the selectors' desire to keep their options open for the World Cup, while still giving themselves the best possible chance of winning the upcoming series against Virat Kohli's tourists.
"Our two main priorities have been to select and prepare a squad capable of winning what is shaping as a massive series against India, and gathering as much information as possible ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.
"Tom and Colin are experienced players in this format, and will offer quality in their respective roles, and Mitch and Doug showed us what they are capable of during the T20 on Friday night."
Stead said Neesham and Astle would join the squad for games four and five, all going well.
"We were impressed by Jimmy against Sri Lanka, and are keen to see more of Todd, who has a different skill set and performed well for us last year.
"It's just important that, after their respective injuries, we can see them playing again and be confident of bringing them back at this level."
India will arrive in New Zealand on Saturday, after their three-match ODI series against Australia, which is tied 1-1 with a decider on Friday in Melbourne.
Blackcaps squad to face India
Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
NZ tour schedule:
- January 23: First ODI in Napier, 3pm
- Jan 26: Second ODI in Mt Maunganui, 3pm
- Jan 28: Third ODI in Mt Maunganui, 3pm
- Jan 31: Fourth ODI in Hamilton, 3pm
- February 3: Fifth ODI in Wellington, 3pm
- Feb 6: First T20 in Wellington, 8pm
- Feb 8: Second T20 in Auckland, 7pm
- Feb 10: Third T20 in Hamilton, 8pm
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Join us at 3pm January 23 for live updates of the Blackcaps vs India ODI at Napier.
