Rishabh Pant’s Training Session Injury Ends His Stint In New Zealand ODIs | Watch

Star India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was visibly in pain and had to be taken off the field after he suffered an injury during the practice session on Saturday, January 11, which eventually ended

his stint in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.

A day later, on January 11, a video from India’s Vadodara training session emerged on social media, capturing the moment Pant suffered the blow that ended his series before it even started.

The incident took place during a routine net session ahead of the first ODI, when Pant experienced discomfort on the right lateral side of his abdomen while batting. He was attended to by the team’s medical staff, with the injury prompting further examination.

Watch the video here:

Rishabh pant almost in tear. Get well soon pant pic.twitter.com/WYFIJTAvY3

— the unknown memes (@theunknowmemes) January 11, 2026

An MRI scan, followed by an online consultation with Dinshaw Pardiwala, confirmed that Pant has a right-sided abdominal strain with an internal oblique muscle tear. The diagnosis ruled him out of the entire three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning in Vadodara on January 11.

Pant’s absence is a major blow for India, considering his influence as a left-handed wicketkeeper-batter and his knack for shifting the tempo of an innings. After a short rest period, Pant is scheduled to report to the Centre of Excellence for further assessment and rehab.

With Pant sidelined, the selectors named Dhruv Jurel as his replacement on the morning of the first ODI. Jurel now gets a chance to make his mark during a busy white-ball schedule for India.

The injury adds to the frustrations in Pant’s intermittent ODI career over the past two years. He last featured in a 50-over game during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in August 2024 and regular chances have been few and far between since.