Repeated blows for Team India, as one of their key players got injured right before the India vs New Zealand (IND vs NZ) series after the surgery of Tilak Varma. So, before the series, the team management faced challenges for two separate issues.

According to a report in Cricbuzz, Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the India vs New Zealand ODI series, which is scheduled to start on January 11 (today). The report further stated Pant suffered an injury during practice at the BCA Stadium this afternoon after being hit by a ball, which was the main reason for his withdrawal. The extent of Pant's injury has not been disclosed at this time.

Despite the media report, there are no official confirmations about the nature or about the seriousness of the knock the keeper-batter picked up during the batting practice. Several videos shared on social media platforms captured the moment Pant pulled himself out of the ground with some visible pain on his face. The team physio and doctor then treated him and determined that the injury was serious enough to rule him out of the three-match series, according to media reports.

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Watch Rishabh Pant walked off the ground after got an injury in nets

🚨 Rishabh Pant In Pain After Hitting the ball on body . 🚨

Rishabh Pant suffered a side strain during a practice session. He was in pain and had difficulty walking. As a result, he has been ruled out of the ODI series against New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/iWEdd1zi94

— Cricket Central (@CricketCentrl) January 10, 2026

In the absence of Rishabh Pant, it is expected to see KL Rahul with the wicketkeeping gloves in the ODI series. Rahul practised wicketkeeping as well in the nets. However, if the selectors announce Pant's replacement, Ishan Kishan could get a chance in the playing XI as a keeper, with KL Rahul as another option who can keep as well.

India’s ODI squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.