Rishabh Pant ruled out of New Zealand ODI series due to injury

Aakash Saini

Rishabh Pant ruled out of New Zealand ODI series [Source: AFP]Rishabh Pant ruled out of New Zealand ODI series [Source: AFP]

Rishabh Pant has been reportedly ruled out of the Indian squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The senior Indian wicketkeeper-batter had suffered an injury during a nets training session in Baroda just a day prior to the series-opener at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara.

Rishabh Pant was recently included in Team India ODI squad by the BCCI selection committee after a gap of two years, considering he last played a 50-overs international game for the ‘Men in Blue’ back in August 2024 during India’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka.

Rishabh Pant’s ODI comeback delayed as cricketer ruled out due to an injury

The much-awaited ODI return of Rishabh Pant has been once again delayed as the Indian wicketkeeper-batter has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand owing to an injury, as reported by Aaj Tak’s Vikrant Gupta. Reportedly, Ishan Kishan is likely to replace him in the ODI squad.

On Saturday, January 10, i.e., a day prior to the series-opening first ODI against New Zealand in Baroda, Rishabh Pant took a blow to his body while batting during a nets training session alongside his national teammates.

The 28-year-old was even assisted by the physios on the field, before he subsequently walked off at the BCA Stadium’s Ground B. With Rishabh Pant seemingly fighting injury pain, his ODI captain Shubman Gill was concurrently spotted having an intense and a lengthy discussion with BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.

Rishabh Pant’s brush with injuries

Rishabh Pant had also sustained a nasty foot injury in England last year, which forced him out of the home Test series against West Indies. While the cricketer returned just in time for the South Africa Tests, his latest injury setback before New Zealand ODIs has once again raised concerns over his fitness continuity in international cricket.