Rishabh Pant's ongoing struggle with injuries has taken yet another unfortunate turn, marking a distressing chapter in his cricketing journey. Reports indicate that he has been sidelined from the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, which is set to kick off in Baroda on Sunday, January 11. This setback occurred during a practice session at the BCA Stadium when he was struck by a delivery, leaving him in considerable pain and unable to continue.
As the second wicketkeeper in the ODI lineup, following KL Rahul, Pant's absence does not immediately necessitate finding another replacement for the first match. Nevertheless, the selectors are anticipated to announce a substitute, with Ishan Kishan likely stepping in for Pant, as he is already favored as the wicketkeeper for the T20 series.
Details surrounding the specifics of Pant's injury remain unclear; however, it is reported that he was struck while facing a delivery from a sidearm specialist. It appears that he did not seek consultation from any medical expert in the area nor underwent any scans prior to the incident. Eyewitness accounts describe Pant in significant distress on the ground, prompting immediate attention from the team’s physiotherapist and doctor. Their assessment deemed the injury serious enough to rule him out of the three-match series.
At the time this information was compiled, there was no official announcement from the Indian team management or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, insiders suggest that Pant will be departing from the Indian camp on Sunday morning, though it remains uncertain how much time he will need to recover and return to play.
Injuries have become an unfortunate pattern in Pant's career. His promising trajectory almost came to a halt following a devastating car accident in December 2022, leading to an extended hiatus from both international cricket and the IPL. Last summer in England, he faced a finger injury, which limited his participation in the prestigious Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Interestingly, Saturday was designated as an optional practice day for the Indian squad, and Pant made the decision to attend for a batting session in the nets, where he sustained the injury. Other notable players, including Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, and Shreyas Iyer, were also present for practice, alongside Pant. Additionally, skipper Shubman Gill attended the optional session to fulfill his media obligations ahead of the series.
