IND vs NZ: Rishabh Pant ruled out of ODIs due to abdominal injury

India have suffered a big blow on the eve of the first ODI against New Zealand as Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the series due to an abdominal injury. Pant has been ruled out the three-match series after sustaining an injury during practice. Pant experienced sudden discomfort in his right lateral abdominal area while batting in the nets, prompting medical attention.

Given the concerning nature of his symptoms, an MRI scan was conducted to assess the extent of the injury. Following a detailed online consultation with Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala to review both clinical and radiological findings, Pant was diagnosed with a right-sided strain accompanied by an internal oblique muscle tear.

As a result, Pant will miss the series, which will start in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11, a significant setback for the Indian team given his role as a dynamic wicketkeeper-batter. After a few days of rest, he is scheduled to report to the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for further assessment and



rehabilitation. The team management will now need to adjust plans and identify a replacement to fill the gap in the squad.

The injury is the latest setback that Pant has endured in his ODI career, which has lost its momentum over the last couple of years. The 28-year-old last played a match in the 50-over format during the tour of Sri Lanka in August 2024.

He has been part of the squads for the England series and the Champions trophy squads in early 2025 but failed to play a single game. The series against South Africa saw Pant remaining as an unused player despite many thinking he will get a chance with Shreyas Iyer recovering from injury.

India used Ruturaj Gaikwad for the three-match series against the Proteas. While there were reports suggesting Pant will be dropped for the series against the Blackcaps, he was able to retain his spot in the squad. As of today, January 10, BCCI are yet to formally announce a statement on Pant and his potential replacement for the series.