Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of India’s three-match India vs New Zealand ODI series starting January 11, 2026, after getting injured in a net session at BCA Stadium, Vadodara. While batting against throwdowns, he felt sudden pain above his waist. MRI scans confirmed a side strain (oblique muscle tear). Pant has left the camp, and Dhruv Jurel has been named as his replacement.
Pant has had several injury issues recently. In 2022, he missed long periods after a car accident. In 2025, he fractured a toe against Chris Woakes’ bowling, missing Tests against England and the West Indies. His last ODI before this was against Sri Lanka in August 2024. Pant has played 31 ODIs, scoring 871 runs at an average of 33.50 with a strike rate of 106.21, including one century against England in the UK.
Dhruv Jurel was selected after scoring 558 runs in seven matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, including two centuries, averaging over 90.
India’s updated squad for the series: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, and Dhruv Jurel.
Dhruv Jurel Replaces Rishabh Pant in India’s ODI Squad for India vs New Zealand series
Dhruv Jurel has been called up to India’s ODI squad for the India vs New Zealand series as a replacement for Pant, who was ruled out due to a side strain. Pant got injured during a net session in Vadodara when a throwdown hit his ribs.
Jurel joined the team on Saturday night. He has been in excellent form for Uttar Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, scoring 558 runs in seven matches at an average over 90, with two centuries and four half-centuries. He is also the captain of the Uttar Pradesh team.
His performance has helped Uttar Pradesh top the Elite Group B points table with 28 points from seven wins. Uttar Pradesh will play Saurashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarterfinals.
The first ODI at Kotambi Stadium is the stadium’s international debut. The series continues in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18. India has a strong record against New Zealand at home, winning all seven previous ODI series and 31 of 40 ODIs played against them in India.
How did Rishabh Pant get injured?
Pant got injured during a training session at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Saturday evening. While batting against throwdowns, a ball hit him on the right side of his abdomen, causing immediate pain. He collapsed to the ground and groaned in pain.
A video of the incident went viral, showing captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir talking nearby and not checking on him, which upset fans online.
The team doctor confirmed Pant has a right rib injury with a muscle strain. His participation in the first ODI against New Zealand is uncertain, and he might miss the whole three-match series. Dhruv Jurel or Ishan Kishan could replace him.
Pant has had a tough year with injuries. In July 2025, he fractured a toe against England. In September 2025, he missed the Asia Cup due to a leg injury, and in October 2025, he was kept out of the West Indies Test series due to fitness issues. His last ODI before this was during the Sri Lanka tour in August 2024.
FAQs
Q. Who replaced Rishabh Pant in the squad?
A. Dhruv Jurel has been called up as Rishabh Pant’s replacement.
Q. Why is Rishabh Pant out of the India vs New Zealand ODI series?
A. Rishabh Pant got a side strain (oblique muscle tear) during a net session at BCA Stadium, Vadodara.
Q. How has Dhruv Jurel been performing recently?
A. Dhruv Jurel scored 558 runs in seven Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, including two centuries and four half-centuries, averaging over 90.
Q. Where will the first India vs New Zealand ODI be played?
A. The first India vs New Zealand ODI will be played at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, which is hosting its first international match.
Q. How has India performed against New Zealand at home?
A. India has won all seven previous ODI series and 31 of 40 ODIs played against New Zealand in India.
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