Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand due to a side strain injury, dealing another blow to the Indian wicketkeeper-batter’s comeback journey.
The injury occurred during India’s practice session ahead of the first ODI in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11, leaving Rishabh Pant out of the New Zealand series.
According to an official statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Pant felt sudden discomfort in his right lateral abdominal area while batting in the nets at the BCA Stadium.
He was immediately taken for MRI scans, following which the BCCI medical team consulted experts regarding his condition. The scans confirmed a side strain, also referred to as an oblique muscle tear, forcing Pant out of the ODI series.
With Pant unavailable, the BCCI has named Dhruv Jurel as his replacement in the squad.
Jurel has already joined the Indian team in Vadodara and will serve as the backup wicketkeeper, with KL Rahul expected to continue as India’s first-choice keeper in the playing XI.
Pant’s absence does not significantly affect India’s ODI combination, as Rahul was already ahead of him in the team’s pecking order. However, the injury comes at an unfortunate time for Pant, who had been showing promising form in domestic cricket.
He recently led Delhi to the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-finals and scored two half-centuries in six innings, indicating a steady return to form.
For Dhruv Jurel, the call-up is a reward for consistent performances in List A cricket. Although he is yet to make his ODI debut, Jurel has impressed with six fifty-plus scores in his last seven List A innings, including two centuries for Uttar Pradesh.
His selection offers him a chance to stay close to the national setup and gain valuable experience.
Pant’s latest setback adds to a growing list of injuries that have hampered his career in recent years.
After suffering serious injuries in a car accident in December 2022, Pant spent a long period away from competitive cricket. He also dealt with finger and fitness issues during India’s tour of England last year.
India and New Zealand will play the remaining ODIs in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18.
Following the ODI series, both teams will shift focus to a five-match T20I series starting January 21, which will serve as preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Neither Pant nor Jurel has been included in India’s T20I squad for the series.
