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Rishabh Pant injury - (Source: Shamik Chakrabarty/X.com)
In a significant development, India have dealt a heavy blow as star keeper-batter Rishabh Pant has suffered an injury scare ahead of the 1st ODI against New Zealand. The southpaw took a blow on the body while batting in the nets and walked off the field, assisted by the physios.
Revsportz took to Twitter, where they shared a picture of Pant walking off the field gingerly. Therefore, it is likely that Pant took a hit on the leg. Notably, the Men in Blue are currently in Vadodara sweating hard in the nets and Pant too batted for long, practicisng for the first ODI on January 11.
Rishabh Pant doubtful for 1st ODI
Before the squad announcement for New Zealand ODIs, there were reports that the selectors are not keen on continuing with Pant in the fifty-over format because of his poor form. Nonetheless, the southpaw was presented with another opportunity and this could be his last.
For the unversed, Pant has played just one ODI since 2022 and is behind the pecking order because India prefer to go ahead with KL Rahul as the primary keeper-batter in the fifty-over format.
Pant was anyway likely to sit on the bench in the upcoming series, but now the injury scare has diminished his chances of getting any play time. At the time of writing this article, there is no update on the extend of the injury or seriousness of it.
Rishabh Pant's tryst with injuries
Pant has a tryst with injuries. The southpaw was injured during India's Test tour to England in 2025, where the southpaw was struck on the foot, eventually ruling him out of action for a few months.
Rishabh suffered a foot fracture and returned to action for India in the Test series against South Africa in November. Therefore, the southpaw cannot afford more injuries in his career.
