Breaking: Rishabh Pant ruled out of New Zealand ODI series after Injury during Practice

Team India has been hit hard before even a ball being bowled in the New Zealand series as Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of India's upcoming three-match ODI series, starting from Sunday (January 11).

The Indian camp confirmed Pant suffered a blow during an optional practice session at the BCA Stadium in Baroda. Hit by a delivery from a sidearm specialist in the nets, he was down in visible pain, drawing immediate attention from the team physio and doctor.

Although Pant's diagnosis remains to be seen, the India player is expected to be unfit for the three-match series. As per Cricbuzz, the player is set to leave the team on Sunday morning.

With the first ODI set for Sunday (January 11), Pant's absence - as the squad's second wicketkeeper behind

KL Rahul - won't derail the opener. However, selectors are poised to name a replacement, with Ishan Kishan emerging as the frontrunner. Kishan, the preferred keeper for the preceding T20Is, could bolster the white-ball setup, while Sanju Samson may also get a nod. The nature and severity of the injury remain under wraps, leaving fans guessing on Pant's return timeline.

This isn't Pant's first brush with the injury bug. His career nearly shattered in December 2022 after a horrific car accident near Delhi, sidelining him for over a year from international cricket and the IPL. A gritty comeback followed, but last summer's finger injury in England curtailed his role in the high-profile Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Saturday's session drew a select group: skipper Shubman Gill (preparing for his pre-series presser), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, and Shreyas Iyer. Pant's decision to bat proved fateful.