New Zealand ODIs will be missed by injured Pant

Rishabh Pant’s injury struggles persist, ruling the wicketkeeper out of the ODI series against New Zealand after sustaining a side strain during India's practice in Vadodara. The BCCI confirmed Pant experienced sudden discomfort in his right abdominal area while batting. Subsequent MRI scans diagnosed an oblique muscle tear. Although Pant was the squad's second-choice keeper behind KL Rahul, preventing an immediate crisis, the selection committee named Dhruv Jurel as his replacement.

Jurel has already joined the team. The injury occurred during an optional net session attended by several senior players. This latest setback compounds a growing list of interruptions for Pant. His career faced a major halt following a severe 2022 car accident. Additionally, he recently suffered finger and foot injuries in England, limiting his participation in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, continuing a difficult period of physical setbacks for the player.