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Team India was handed an injury scare ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand at the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) Stadium in Vadodara on Saturday. India will take on New Zealand in a three-match ODI series, starting Sunday, January 11. Ahead of the series opener, India star Rishabh Pant got hit while batting in the nets.
As per a report in News18, Pant was struck just above his waist by India's throwdown specialist while facing him during the team's practice session at the BCA Stadium's Ground B on Saturday. Pant was seen grimacing in pain after being hit and was attended by the team's physio and support staff.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir was also present at the ground as Pant left the field after getting initial treatment. Pant is the backup wicket-keeper for India, as KL Rahul is expected to continue to don the gloves in the three-match series as the hosts' first-choice wicket-keeper batter.
The extent of Pant's injury is not known yet, and it remains to be seen if the BCCI will provide an update on the wicket-keeper batter. Pant, who is heading into the ODI series against the Kiwis on the back of a solid show in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, is unlikely to be part of the playing XI in the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara.
Pant was leading Delhi in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 before joining the India camp ahead of the New Zealand ODI series. The wicket-keeper batter scored 212 runs for Delhi in six innings at an average of over 42 and a strike rate of 112.76, including two half-centuries.
Shubman Gill-led India will look to start the three-match series with a victory when they lock horns with New Zealand in the first ODI in Vadodara on Sunday. India defeated South Africa 2-1 in their last ODI series at home and will be hoping to continue their winning run against the Kiwis. The series will also mark the return of Shreyas Iyer, who was cleared to make his comeback after recovering from a spleen injury.
