New Zealand dealt double blow as pace duo ruled out of T20I series vs India

New Zealand have suffered a double injury blow, with Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series against India. With India leading 3-0, the hosts have called up Matt Fisher as they look to avoid a series whitewash.

New Zealand have suffered a double injury blow ahead of the sold-out fourth T20I against India, with Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry ruled out of the remainder of the five-match series. The setbacks come with India already holding an unassailable 3-0 lead ahead of Friday's match at Eden Park in Auckland.

Ferguson sustained a low-grade tear in his right calf during the second T20I in Christchurch, while Henry suffered a similar injury to his right quadricep. Ferguson is expected to need around another week to recover, with Henry facing one to two weeks on the sidelines, according to New Zealand Cricket.

Matt Fisher has been called up to replace Ferguson, while New Zealand will hope both injured pacers recover in time for the ODI series, which begins on November 4.

"We're gutted for Lockie and Matt," head coach Rob Walter said.

"Injuries are part and parcel of international cricket, but it doesn't make it any easier when you have to miss games."

Walter added that Henry had already been scheduled to sit out the remaining T20Is as part of workload management, and expressed hope that the pacer would play a key role in the ODIs. Ferguson, meanwhile, had been eager to play in front of a sell-out Eden Park crowd but is determined to return for the 50-over series.

HOW INDIA BATTERS HAVE PUT PRESSURE ON NEW ZEALAND

The injuries compound New Zealand's problems after India chased down targets of 226, 181 and 199 in the first three matches, winning each by four wickets, four wickets and six wickets respectively.

Sanju Samson struck 67 off 33 balls in the opening match, while Tilak Varma's unbeaten 51 off 26 deliveries guided India home in the second. Abhishek Sharma then produced the standout innings of the series so far, smashing 113 off just 38 balls as India chased 199 in only 13.2 overs.

New Zealand's bowlers have struggled to contain India's attack. Ferguson conceded 34 runs in three overs in the first T20I and 37 in three overs in the second, while Henry gave away 57 runs in 3.4 overs in the opener. Mitchell Santner was a rare bright spot, taking 4/21 in the second match.

Fisher is the direct replacement for Ferguson in the squad. New Zealand also have Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner as pace options. The final combination will depend on team balance, with Henry already due to miss the remaining T20Is under his workload plan. Kyle Jamieson is scheduled to remain in Wellington for Canterbury's Ford Trophy match before rejoining the national side for the ODIs.