Rishabh Pant ruled out of ODI series against New Zealand:Suffers side strain injury during practice session; no immediate replacement for first match in Baroda

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has suffered yet another injury setback, raising fresh concerns over his fitness. Pant has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand due to a side strain injury, which begins in Baroda on Sunday (January 11). Pant picked up the side strain injury during a practice session at the BCA Stadium on Saturday afternoon. He was hit by a delivery while batting in the nets and was seen in visible pain, forcing him to stop practice immediately. This latest blow adds to a long list of injury troubles that have disrupted his career in recent years. However, there has been no official confirmation from the Indian team management or the BCCI, but sources indicate that Pant will leave the Indian camp on Sunday morning and will not be part of the three-match ODI series. Also read: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli’s first match for India in 2026: Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer return in ODIs; Men in Blue aim for winning start Rishabh Pant hit during a practice session and picked up a side strain injury The injury occurred on an optional practice day, which Pant chose to attend for extra batting practice. During the session, he was struck by a delivery from a sidearm specialist. Though the exact nature of the injury remains unclear, those present said Pant was writhing in pain on the ground. The team physio and doctor immediately attended to him and later assessed that the injury was serious enough to rule him out of the series. It is learnt that Pant did not undergo scans in the city nor consult any external specialist, but the medical staff felt he would not recover in time to play. No immediate replacement for the first ODI in Baroda Pant is the second wicketkeeper in India’s ODI squad, with KL Rahul being the first-choice option. As a result, there is no urgent need for a replacement for the opening match. However, selectors are expected to name a replacement for the remainder of the series. However, if required, Ishan Kishan, who is currently the preferred wicketkeeper for the T20 setup, could be brought in to replace Pant in the ODI squad as well. Another setback in a troubled injury history for Pant Pant has been plagued by injuries over the last few years. His career suffered a major blow after a horrific car accident in December 2022, which kept him out of international cricket and the IPL for a long period. More recently, during last summer’s tour of England, Pant picked up a finger injury, which later affected his participation in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The latest injury once again puts his comeback plans on hold, with no clear timeline yet for his return. Also read: Yet to receive ICC’s response, says BCB president Aminul Islam: Bangladesh firm on stance of not playing T20 World Cup in India Who attended the practice session Saturday’s optional practice session saw several senior players turning up at the nets. Among them were Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj and Shreyas Iyer. Captain Shubman Gill was also present, as he addressed the pre-series media conference earlier in the day.