Rishabh Pant Injured Again, Dhruv Jurel Named as Replacement – Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand after suffering another injury setback. The wicketkeeper-batter picked up a side strain during a practice session in Vadodara on Saturday.
According to the BCCI, Pant felt sudden pain on the right side of his abdomen while batting in the nets at the BCA Stadium. He was immediately taken for an MRI scan, which later confirmed an oblique muscle tear. The injury has forced him out of the series.
Pant was the second-choice wicketkeeper in the ODI squad behind KL Rahul. While his absence does not affect the playing plans for the opening match, the Men’s Selection Committee has named Dhruv Jurel as his replacement. Jurel has already joined the Indian team.
The injury occurred on an optional training day. Pant chose to have an extra batting session when he felt the discomfort. Several senior players, including Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, and Shreyas Iyer, were also present at the nets. Captain Shubman Gill arrived after attending the pre-series press conference.
This latest injury adds to Pant’s long list of fitness issues in recent years. His career was badly disrupted by a serious car accident in December 2022, which kept him away from international cricket and the IPL for a long time. More recently, he dealt with a finger injury in England and later suffered a fracture in his right foot, limiting his participation in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
