India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand after sustaining a side strain during a practice session in Vadodara, the BCCI confirmed on Sunday.
One of the key talking points from the India ODI squad for New Zealand series was the inclusion of Rishabh Pant, who had last played an ODI in late 2024.
What Happened To Rishabh Pant?
Pant felt a sudden onset of discomfort in his right lateral abdominal area while batting in the nets during India’s training session at the BCA Stadium on Saturday afternoon. He was taken for MRI scans immediately, following which the BCCI Medical Team held detailed consultations with a specialist. The scans confirmed an oblique muscle tear, commonly referred to as a side strain, resulting in Pant being ruled out of the three-match ODI series.
The official confirmation comes a day after dramatic scenes from the same practice session went viral on social media. A widely circulated video showed Pant collapsing to the ground in visible pain after being struck on the right side of his abdomen by a delivery from a throwdown specialist. While Pant was seen sitting on the turf clutching his side, visuals appeared to show captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir continuing a discussion nearby, which triggered a wave of criticism from fans online.
The clip sparked significant backlash on social media, with many supporters questioning the perceived lack of immediate concern from the team leadership. Several posts described the moment as unsettling, pointing out that Pant was visibly in distress while play around him continued uninterrupted. No official clarification was issued on the incident at the time, though Pant was subsequently assessed by the team’s medical staff later in the session.
Rishabh Pant’s ODI Comeback Keeps Extending, Dhruv Jurel In
This latest injury adds to a challenging period for Pant since his return to the 50-over format. His last ODI appearance came during the Sri Lanka tour in August 2024, and he has since dealt with a series of fitness setbacks, including a fractured toe during the England tour in July 2025, a leg injury that ruled him out of the Asia Cup in September, and further fitness concerns that kept him out of the Test series against the West Indies in October.
With Pant sidelined, Dhruv Jurel provides India with a like-for-like wicketkeeping option in the squad. KL Rahul remains the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter, while Jurel is expected to serve as the reserve option for the remainder of the series.
Updated India ODI squad for New Zealand series
Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel (wk).
