Rishabh Pant is ruled out of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand that starts here in Vadodara on Sunday. There’s no official confirmation from the Indian team or the BCCI yet, as they prefer to wait. But according to sources, wicketkeeper-batsman has sustained a muscle tear and will be out.
Pant was hit just below the ribs while taking throwdowns at the nets during India’s optional practice session at the BCA Stadium on Saturday. Before that, he looked to be in great touch, striking the ball well. RevSportz was the first to report the incident, along with the picture. The left-hand batter-keeper received treatment before gingerly walking off the field.
Pant has been part of India’s ODI set-up for the last two years, but in the Champions Trophy in February-March 2025 followed by the three-match home ODI series against South Africa in November, he didn’t get a game, with KL Rahul being the team’s first-choice ‘keeper-batsman.
Ahead of the New Zealand series, rumours were rife that Pant could be dropped, to be replaced by Ishan Kishan. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, however, took the right call and didn’t axe the senior player without giving him a proper chance.
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