Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant, who had every chance to be back in the Playing XI in ODIs, has suffered a freak injury, as he has been spotted limping after being hit by a ball during the net session ahead of the first match in Vadodara.
India will be playing their first game of 2026 against New Zealand at home. The series comprises three ODIs, and the first game will commence tomorrow, the 11th of January, at the Baroda Cricket Association.
After the first match, the Indian team, alongside the New Zealand contingent, will move to Rajkot, where the Niranjan Shah Stadium will feature their second match, and lastly, the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore will host the final match of the series on the 18th of this month.
Rishabh Pant suffers freak injury ahead of NZ series opener
Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicket-keeper batter, has largely been affected by injuries in his career. The massive car accident could turn out to be a massive turning point in his life as well as his career.
Pant had then started off his career as an ODI star, and the hindrance came up. Now, after a promising domestic season, Pant was in talks to make an ODI comeback.
In Vadodara, when Rishabh Pant was batting, a ball once again hit him on his legs, and he had to leave the field in pain and despair. Pant recently came back following a lengthy procedure where he had to rehab after his foot was fractured during the England Test series match in Manchester.
Rishabh Pant gingerly walks off the field after being hit by a delivery while batting at the nets. #INDvNZ@shamik100 pic.twitter.com/vpByN9OvOh
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) January 10, 2026
Rishabh Pant continues his pact with injuries amid KL Rahul’s replacement talks
Rishabh Pant’s injuries have no end; however, the recent biggest blow came during the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy in England. The batter attempted an audacious reverse sweep against the medium pacer, and a full toss hit Pant on the ankle, which ruled him out for the innings.
However, Pant risked it all to at least draw the Manchester Test, and he applied tremendous courage to take the field again during that match. This worsened the condition, and his reports detected a fracture. He was not part of the series against Australia and the West Indies.
However, this time it’s even poorer because KL Rahul is the full-time skipper with the Indian side, and Pant was speculated to hit the XI for the first time in 2 years.
Who can replace Pant if the batter is ruled out due to injury?
If Rishabh Pant misses out on this occasion as well, Dhruv Jurel, the standby wicket-keeping option, might be roped in; however, then it would be highly likely for KL Rahul to continue as the gloveman.
On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad can also be a replacement for Rishabh Pant, if India has any plans to play Pant in the role of a specialist batter instead of a gloveman, then Ruturaj Gaikwad could also be called back in the squad as well as the XI.
ALSO READ: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma making Indian team atmosphere toxic? Shubman Gill drops bomb
