Big Blow to India! Rishabh Pant RULED OUT of IND vs NZ series due to...
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As per the reports, Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.
In a major setback for the Indian Cricket Team, star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, as per the reports in Sports Tak, has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning January 11.
Rishabh Pant’s injury occurred during a net session in Vadodara on January 10, 2026, just hours before the first ODI on January 11. Pant was struck by a ball while batting intensively, forcing him to leave the field in pain, limping and assisted by the physio and support staff, including head coach Gautam Gambhir.
The southpaw, who was part of India’s 15-man squad led by Shubman Gill and included as a backup wicketkeeper alongside KL Rahul, had been hoping for a chance to revive his ODI career. Pant has struggled for opportunities in the 50-over format, having played just one ODI since 2022 (against Sri Lanka in 2024).
Pant has his own string of poor performances to blame for his exclusion, and now his side strain injury adds to his woes and troubles.
Rishabh Pant’s injury woes continue as he gets ruled out of IND vs NZ ODIs
This latest injury adds to Pant’s unfortunate history of setbacks. He previously suffered a foot fracture during India’s 2025 Test tour of England, which sidelined him for months, before returning in the Test series against South Africa in November.
The side strain, confirmed by reliable sources including journalist Vikrant Gupta, now eliminates any possibility of Pant featuring in the Vadodara, Rajkot, or Indore matches.
With the series opener imminent, Team India will rely on KL Rahul for wicketkeeping duties, while the batting lineup adjusts without Pant’s explosive middle-order presence. The blow comes at a critical time as India kickstarts their 2026 calendar and builds momentum ahead of future white-ball commitments
A replacement for Pant is yet to be announced. Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson could be called into the team, as both are already part of India’s T20 squad against New Zealand.
IND vs NZ ODI Series Schedule (IST timings):
- 1st ODI: Sunday, January 11, 2026 – BCA Stadium, Vadodara – 1:30 PM
- 2nd ODI: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 – Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot – 1:30 PM
- 3rd ODI: Sunday, January 18, 2026 – Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore – 1:30 PM
What exactly happened to Rishabh Pant?
Pant was hit by a ball above his waist while batting intensively in the nets ahead of the 1st ODI vs New Zealand. He left the field limping in pain, assisted by physios and head coach Gautam Gambhir, and was later confirmed to have suffered a side strain.
Has Pant been officially ruled out of the entire series?
Yes, reliable reports confirm Pant is ruled out of all three ODIs (Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore) due to the side strain.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.