Injury Blow: Pant Sidelined for India vs NZ ODIs

Rishabh Pant ruled out of India's ODI series against New Zealand due to a side strain injury. Find out potential replacements and series details.

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the three-match One Day International series against New Zealand due to a right-side strain. The injury forced him to leave an optional practice session early after being hit on the ribcage by a throwdown specialist. Pant is now scheduled to rest before heading to Bengaluru for further evaluation and rehabilitation.

Pant was in good form, having recently led Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and scored two half-centuries. This is not the first time Pant has faced injury concerns; he previously fractured his right foot in late 2025. His absence creates a vacancy in India's ODI squad, with Dhruv Jurel and Ishan Kishan being the likely candidates to fill his role.

The ODI series against New Zealand is set to commence at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara, a venue hosting its first men's international match. Subsequent matches will be played in Rajkot and Indore on January 14 and January 18, respectively. Pant's exclusion means the team management must swiftly finalize a replacement ahead of the series opener.

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