India have suffered a setback ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, with Rishabh Pant ruled out due to injury. According to reports, Pant picked up a side strain after being hit on the ribs during a net session in Vadodara and will miss the entire series.

The incident happened during India’s practice ahead of the first ODI. Pant was batting comfortably before a delivery struck him above the waist, leaving him in visible pain. He was immediately attended to by the support staff and did not continue the session.

Following scans and medical checks, doctors confirmed a side strain on the right side of his ribcage. As a result, the team management decided to rule him out to avoid further risk, dealing a blow to India’s plans for the series.

Dhruv Jurel called up as injury replacement

Dhruv Jurel has been named as Pant’s injury replacement for the ODI series. The young wicketkeeper-batter has been in fine form for Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy and joined the Indian squad on Saturday. Pant is expected to rest for a few days before reporting to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for further assessment and rehabilitation. He had recently shown good form in domestic cricket, scoring two half-centuries while leading Delhi into the knockout stage of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

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This is not the first injury setback for Pant in recent times. He had earlier fractured his right foot during the fourth Test against England at Manchester and made his return through the home Test series against South Africa last year. Although he has been part of India’s ODI plans for the last two years, his last appearance in the format came during the Sri Lanka tour in August 2024.

With Pant sidelined, India may also consider Ishan Kishan as another wicketkeeping option, given his strong domestic performances. The ODI series against New Zealand will begin on January 11 at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara, followed by matches in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18.

India’s veteran wicket-keeper batter, Rishabh Pant, has picked up an injury on the eve of the opening clash of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. The southpaw, two days before the start of the game, was hit by a delivery during practice on Saturday (January 10) afternoon. He was, anyway, the second wicket-keeper of the ODI squad after KL Rahul.

There is no clear information on the nature of Pant’s injury, but it has been reported that a sidearm specialist hit him. It’s unlikely that Pant consulted any doctor in the city, nor did he undergo any scan. However, the India batter was seen struggling in severe pain on the ground. The reports claimed that the team physio and doctor attended to him and found the injury too serious to continue the series.

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Pant was in decent touch heading into the ODI series, after a strong performance for Delhi in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26, where he led the side to the quarter-final and smashed a fine unbeaten knock of 67 runs against Services at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Dhruv Jurel joins India to replace injured Rishabh Pant

Pant, who hasn’t played any ODI since November 2024, has smashed 871 runs in 27 innings of the 50-over format at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 106/71, scoring five half-centuries and one century at the best score of unbeaten 125 runs. In his injury, Dhruv Jurel has reported joining the 50-over squad.

Pant still has been a regular candidate for injuries. His career flourished and almost got derailed when he met with a horrific car accident in December 2022. It was a prolonged absence from international cricket for him as well as the Indian Premier League (IPL). He suffered a finger injury last summer in England.

January 10 was an optional practice day for the Indian team, and Pant decided to come for a batting session in the nets when he was unfortunately. Mohammad Siraj, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shreyas Iyer were also present in the net session.

Just after the end of the three-match ODI series at home against South Africa, it was announced that Virat Kohli would be part of a couple of games for Delhi in the 2025/26 season of the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT). He was expected to be joined by the wicket-keeper, Rishabh Pant, in the squad.

This happens given the BCCI’s rule of players turning up in the domestic game if they are not part of the national commitment. It will be a return to List-A cricket for Kohli after a long time, as he appeared for the side in the first-class game against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium at the start of the year.

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That turned out to be his final game with the red ball as he announced his retirement from the longest format during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Kohli, however, keeps an eye on being part of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia

Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli named in first two Delhi games in VHT 2025/26 

Pant has been named the captain of the side with Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini also making them available for the first two games. Virat Kohli has also been part of the 20-man squad which will play its first two games against Andhra and Gujarat. Harshit Rana, if available, will join the squad as Ayush Badoni has been named the vice-captain. 

Pant will also get the experience of Nitish Rana in the middle order and the freshness of young Priyansh Arya at the opening spot of the team. Simarjeet Singh will be their top-class bowler of the side, with Hrithik Shokeen taking care of the spin department. 

Delhi’s squad for the first two VHT 2025/26 games

Rishabh Pant (capt), Ayush Badoni (vice-capt), Virat Kohli, Arpit Rana, Yash Dhull, Sarthak Ranjan, Priyansh Arya, Tejasvi Singh (wk), Nitish Rana, Hrithik Shokeen, Harsh Tyagi, Simarjeet Singh, Prince Yadav, Divij Mehra, Ayush Doseja, Vaibhav Kandpal, Rohan Rana, Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini.
Anuj Rawat (standby wicketkeeper)

India’s stand-in captain Rishabh Pant looked visibly disappointed as he stepped forward to assess his team’s performance after the crushing 408-run defeat to South Africa in Guwahati. The loss handed the Proteas their first-ever Test series win on Indian soil. Pant, playing in a leadership role following Shubman Gill being ruled out due to a neck injury sustained in the Kolkata Test, did not offer excuses and was candidly honest about India's lacunae.

Without naming anyone, Pant highlighted the major problems troubling the Indian team. His words reflected frustration, concern, and the need for urgent improvement. "It's a little disappointing. As a team, we need to get better… Credit to the opposition for playing better than us. They dominated the series… we're playing at home, and sometimes we were up in the game. Still, we didn't capitalise on it," he said after the loss.

Pant added that cricket demands consistency and effort regardless of the venue. He stressed that India’s batting unit must grab key moments, something the team failed to do. "Whether you're playing at home or away, cricket demands that determination and that extra effort… As a batting unit, you need to capitalise on certain moments… The positives from this series will be to focus on our own plan,” the captain added.

India Suffer Their Worst-Ever Home Test Defeat

This result marks India’s heaviest Test defeat on home soil, surpassing the 342-run loss to Australia in 2004. It also underlines a worrying pattern, as this is India’s fifth Test defeat in the past year. South Africa’s 2-0 series triumph is their maiden Test series win in India after 25 years, repeating their 2-0 victory from the 2000 tour.

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For India, this becomes their third-ever clean sweep at home, following the 0-3 loss to New Zealand last October. The defeat has raised serious questions about the team’s approach, consistency, and readiness for red-ball challenges ahead.

South Africa began their first innings after choosing to bat, and India opened with disciplined bowling. Jasprit Bumrah extended his fiery form by removing Aiden Markram for 31, securing both South African openers inside the first session of the Kolkata Test. His impact came early, giving India full control and forcing South Africa to rethink their approach in challenging morning conditions.

The main breakthrough came in the 12th over when Bumrah bowled a 137.7 kmph delivery that bounced more than expected. The ball moved away slightly, and Markram tried to play at it but was unsure. Rishabh Pant then pulled off a brilliant one-handed catch by diving to his right, making the dismissal even more special.

Markram walked back after scoring 31 off 48 balls, with five fours and one six. His wicket ended a short 5-run stand for the second wicket. South Africa, who were comfortably placed at 57/0, suddenly slipped to 62/2 in 12.1 overs. Bumrah’s double strike shifted the momentum towards India.

Bumrah’s Early Breakthroughs Help India

By the end of the first session on Day 1 at Eden Gardens, South Africa reached 66/2 after choosing to bat. Bumrah removed both openers, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, putting early pressure on the visitors. Wiaan Mulder and skipper Temba Bavuma are currently at the crease, trying to steady the innings.

Watch the video here

Simply outstanding! 💪🏻💥

Rickelton first, Markram next! #TeamIndia’s gun spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah has now removed both the 🇿🇦 openers!

Catch the LIVE action ⬇️#INDvSA 1st Test LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/uK1oWLgsfx pic.twitter.com/a8YFAcqShA

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 14, 2025

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Indian captain Shubman Gill chose a spin-heavy lineup, suggesting the team expects the pitch to offer more turn later in the match. The nature of this Test, being an important one in the World Test Championship cycle, has given India a strong start and an early advantage in the match with Bumrah's early wickets.

At the time of writing, South Africa are 85/3 in 19.3 overs during Day 1, Session 1 of the Kolkata Test. Wiaan Mulder is batting on 16, while Tony de Zorzi is on 2, with Kuldeep Yadav having taken 1 wicket so far.

Indian cricket fans have got a big relief as the India A skipper Rishabh Pant returned to bat and smashed his familiar quick-fire half-century to help the hosts set a big fourth innings target for South Africa A in the second unofficial Test.

WATCH: Rishabh Pant retired hurt

During the first session of the third day of the second unofficial Test, India A captain Rishabh Pant got three blows, on his body and helmet, all against the fast bowler Tshepo Moreki. Ultimately, during the 34th over of India A's second innings, Pant decided to retire hurt at 17 off 22 balls.

Rishabh Pant retires hurt after taking three blows today. First on the helmet, second on the left-hand elbow, third on the abdomen. Tough day for the fighter. ❤️‍🩹 pic.twitter.com/kdTX8jdM8B

— Harsh 17  (@harsh03443) November 8, 2025

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Rishabh Pant returned and scored a 48-ball 50

However, Pant returned to bat in the 81st over after Harsh Dubey was dismissed for 84 runs. Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant set an 82-run partnership for the seventh wicket in just 53 balls. While Dhurv scored another unbeaten century (127 not out), just like his knock (132 not out) in the first innings to save India A's innings, Pant completed his half-century in 48 balls. Before losing his wicket, Pant scored 65 off 54 balls with the help of five fours and four sixes. India A declared their innings at 382/7, as the hosts set a 417-run target for South Africa A in the fourth innings.

Rishabh Pant is the only batter who treats Test bowlers like T20 —
Steps out, swings hard, and sends red-ball into the stands 🥶#RishabhPant
pic.twitter.com/VjSGvbfvPQ

— Orion (@arshdeep3444) November 8, 2025

The two-match Test series between India and South Africa will begin next week from November 14 at Kolkata, while the Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant is set to return to international cricket. Although his latest retired hurt had made his return to international cricket doubtful, he gave a big relief by returning to bat and maintaining his familiar batting performance.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has revealed its 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series at home against Temba Bavuma as their star wicket-keeper batter, Rishabh Pant, returns to the national side, having featured smoothly during the opening unofficial red-ball clash for India A against South Africa at the CoE in Bengaluru. 

Rishabh Pant injured himself during the fourth Manchester Test in their previous trip to the United Kingdom when Chris Woakes' delivery hit the batter on the bridge of the feet while the southpaw attempted the reverse sweep. Along with Pant, who replaced Narayan Jagadeesan in the squad, Akash Deep returned to the squad in place of Prasidh Krishna.

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Deep was recovering from a back injury that had kept him out of the Duleep Trophy after his return from England. Since then, he played the first two rounds of the Ranji Trophy 2025/26 for Bengal and is expected to be part of the second unofficial Test against the South Africa A side.

Rishabh Pant and Akash Deep return for India in Test series against South Africa

India’s Test captain, Shubman Gill, their premier pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, who are part of the T20I series against Australia currently down under, will join the Test squad on November 8, which is six days before the beginning of the first Kolkata Test. Kuldeep Yadav was released from the T20I squad to take part in the second unofficial Test.

The second clash will be played at the debut ground- Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who smashed a fine fifty and a century for Mumbai against Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy, will be itching to continue the flow. India is currently at three, while the Proteas are at five in the WTC 2025-27 points table.

India’s squad for two-match Test series at home against South Africa

Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vc & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep

In a significant development for Indian cricket, Rishabh Pant has stated that he is completely fit and 'ready to go' in time for the Test series against South Africa in mid-November. Pant, who was out of action for a few months due to a serious fracture to his foot he sustained in July during the Test series between England and India, made the announcement in an interview with the BCCI at the Centre of Excellence (CoE).

Currently leading the India A team in the unofficial Test series against South Africa A, Pant opened up about his rehabilitation journey from the painful yorker injury he suffered in Manchester. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the CoE staff who supported him throughout his recovery.

“I started my rehab gradually. In the early days, there was a lot of physiotherapy and careful monitoring. Once I regained some mobility, I began focusing on building strength, which marked the start of the second phase. Right now, I’m happy to say that I’m fully recovered, and I owe a big thanks to the CoE staff for helping me through it,” Pant said.

Pant Shares Positivity and Focus During Recovery

Known for his resilience after surviving a life-threatening car accident in 2022, Pant shared how staying positive played a big role in his recovery journey. “Being positive is really a mindset thing. During an injury, it’s easy to lose motivation. Your energy levels drop and frustration builds up. But if you can find small things that make you feel good, it’s important to hold onto them, especially when you’re going through that period,” he explained.

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Pant’s return to the field, however, didn’t start with fireworks. In the first innings of the unofficial Test, he scored 17 runs off 20 balls before being dismissed by South African pacer Okuhle Cele. Still, his comeback is a massive boost for India’s Test side, which drew the England series 2-2 under Shubman Gill’s captaincy. With Pant’s experience and presence behind the stumps, India will have greater balance ahead of the two-match home series against South Africa, starting November 14 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The final squad announcement is expected soon.

India A squads for two four-day matches against South Africa A have been announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Rishabh Pant, who has been on a long injury break, will lead the side in both the matches. Names such as Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, and Manav Suthar have been included in both squads and provide a good core to the series.

The selectors have selected some players for both games, while others are distinct in each game. It is an effort to help young players gain experience in the first game while providing older Test players with an opportunity to play in the second game. The first game is scheduled to begin on October 30, while the second game will start on November 6. Both games will be hosted at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

The team will also serve as a launching ground for new players to demonstrate their talent against stiff competition. By combining young blood with experience, India A is trying to offer competitive cricket while giving selectors an opportunity to evaluate players for future international games.

Young Talent and Test Stars in Focus

For the first unofficial Test, 18-year-old Mumbai opener Ayush Mhatre has been included. Ayush Badoni, who was part of India A during the Australia series, has retained his place, while Rajat Patidar will play only in the first game. N Jagadeesan is the second wicketkeeper, with Anshul Kamboj and Yash Thakur leading the pace attack. Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain has been drafted in after taking six wickets against Punjab in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 opener.

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The second four-day game will feature experienced Test players such as KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and Mohammed Siraj. Ruturaj Gaikwad returns to the squad after his impressive performance against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy. The pace attack for this match will include Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Khaleel Ahmed, giving India A a strong and balanced side for the second encounter.

India A Squads for South Africa A Series

1st Four-Day Match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), Ayush Mhatre, N. Jagdeesan (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Saransh Jain.

2nd Four-Day Match: Rishabh Pant (C) (WK), KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Sai Sudharsan (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harsh Dubey, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurnoor Brar, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.

India’s aggressive left-handed batter, Rishabh Pant, didn’t feature in the fifth and final Test of the England series at the Kennington Oval after he picked up a foot injury during the fourth encounter at the Old Trafford in Manchester. He looked to reverse-sweep Chris Woakes as the ball hit the bridge of his foot to rule him out of the fifth game.

The injury was severe as Pant couldn’t play the T20 Asia Cup 2025, the three-match ODI and five-match T20I series against Australia down under, and the two-match Test series against the West Indies at home. The reports claimed that Pant’s right foot is slated to be assessed by BCCI’s medical team at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.

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“As of now, there is a likelihood he could be cleared by Oct 10. An assessment is due this week. It has been a long recovery for him. The BCCI medical team doesn’t want to take any chances with him.” The BCCI source revealed as quoted by the Times of India (TOI).

Rishabh Pant to make comeback in competitive cricket on October 25 through Ranji Trophy 2025-26

India will play another two-match Test series against South Africa from the middle of November, and this could provide Pant a couple of games until November 05 to play for Delhi to get fully fit. A call, however, on his availability of the Ranji Trophy games will depend on when he gets full clearance from CoE and his own preparation of the Protea series.

“Pant has not committed to any date when he can join the Delhi camp. He has asked to wait for the clearance from CoE. Playing the first-round Ranji Trophy match from Oct 15 would be very tight for him. If he is available, he is most likely to lead the team.” The DDCA official confirmed as stated by TOI.

“Pant has said he should be available for the Ranji Trophy matches in Delhi from Oct 25. He has conveyed that it will be subject to fitness and clearance obtained from the BCCI medical team.” A top official addressed. Delhi will face Himachal Pradesh and Puducherry in the first couple of games of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26.