New Zealand may be without the services of opening batter Finn Allen during the early stages of the T20I series against India due to his Big Bash League (BBL) commitments. The five-match series is scheduled to start in Nagpur on January 21, which clashes with the 2025–26 BBL season.
If Allen’s team, the Perth Scorchers, reach the BBL final, he will be available only for the last two matches of the T20I series. If they do not qualify for the final, Allen may be able to play the entire series.
The final is slated for January 25, three nights before the fourth T20I between India and New Zealand. Both teams will play the last match of the series on January 31.
“Pending selection, I’ll head straight to India once the Big Bash finishes up for us [Scorchers],” Allen told ESPNcricinfo. “Playing for New Zealand is still, for me, the pinnacle, and the reason why I love playing is to represent my country. But cricket’s obviously evolving and changing year on year. [I’m] confident about getting back into some Black Caps stuff after the Big Bash and hopefully can continue that.”
Allen was last seen in action for New Zealand in March against Pakistan in Wellington. The 26-year-old batter will be making a comeback after suffering a foot stress fracture during Major League Cricket (MLC) earlier this year.
From New Zealand’s perspective, the T20I series will be of great significance for their preparations ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, which will be played in India and Sri Lanka.
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