Dhruv Jurel replaces injured wicketkeeper for upcoming three-match series
India has suffered a significant blow just ahead of the series opener against New Zealand. Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been officially ruled out of the three-match One Day International (ODI) series due to an injury. The series, which kicks off today in Vadodara, will proceed without the dynamic left-hander.
According to an official media advisory released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Dhruv Jurel has been named as the replacement and has already joined the squad.
Injury During Net Session
Trouble began during a practice session at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Saturday. While batting in the nets, Pant experienced sudden and sharp discomfort in his right side. He was immediately pulled out of practice and rushed for MRI scans to assess the damage.
Following consultation with specialists, the BCCI Medical Team confirmed that Rishabh Pant sustained a side strain, specifically an oblique muscle tear. This diagnosis necessitates rest and recovery, ruling him out of action for the current series.
Squad Updates and Replacements
Dhruv Jurel, selected by the Men's Selection Committee, steps in to fill the void. The updated squad list now features Jurel alongside big names returning to the format. Fans are particularly eager to see the return of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who remain exclusive to the ODI format for this tour.
Updated India ODI Squad:
Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (WK).
Context and Schedule
Pant had entered the national camp in good form, having recently captained Delhi in the 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy. He played a crucial role in guiding his state team to the knockout stages with two half-centuries against Railways and Services.
The action begins today at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. The caravan then moves to Rajkot for the second match, with the series finale scheduled to take place in Indore. following the ODIs, the focus will shift to the T20 format as both teams prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
