If you’ve been following Indian cricket lately, one name seems to pop up in news headlines more than any other… at least when it comes to injuries. And that’s right, we’re talking about Rishabh Pant’s recent injury. Honestly, it feels like he’s the second most unlucky cricketer on the planet—no one’s claiming first, because that crown is probably still up for debate.

What Happened to Pant?

So, what exactly happened this time? During a practice session in Vadodara, Pant was batting in the nets when a sharp throwdown from a sidearm specialist hit him just above the waist. Ouch. He immediately grimaced, tried to stay on his feet, but soon fell to his knees, clearly in pain. Medical assessments later confirmed a right-side strain with an internal oblique muscle tear.

🚨 PRESS RELEASE FROM BCCI ON RISHABH PANT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/z3l3jPKFCi

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 11, 2026

This meant that Rishabh Pant’s recent injury ruled him out of the upcoming India vs New Zealand ODI series entirely. The news was a huge blow, especially as Pant had been in good form at the nets and was expected to play a key role in the middle order and behind the stumps.

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The Video That Got Fans Talking

Of course, it wasn’t just the injury that made waves. A video of the incident went viral online, and let’s just say it didn’t do Pant’s team management any favours. In the clip, Pant is seen kneeling on the ground, clearly in pain, while India’s captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir appear to be chatting casually in the background.

Rishabh Pant got injured, yet the captain and coach didn’t even bother to check on him. They just continued talking and ignored him completely while he was down on his knees in pain.

What a pathetic environment. 💔 pic.twitter.com/4p6VbighbF

— RP17 Gang™ (@RP17Gang) January 10, 2026

Fans went ballistic. How could the captain and coach just ignore their injured star player? Many felt a pang of sympathy for Pant, pointing out that the team’s reaction was far from what one would expect in such a scenario. It sparked heated debates on social media about the treatment of players, athlete welfare, and the pressures of professional cricket.

Who’s Stepping In?

With Rishabh Pant’s recent injury ruling him out, the big question was obvious: who would be the replacement for Rishabh Pant in the India vs New Zealand ODI series? The selectors moved quickly and named Dhruv Jurel, a young wicketkeeper-batter who has been knocking it out of the park in domestic cricket.

🚨 Dhruv Jurel has been named as Rishabh Pant’s replacement for the IND-NZ ODI series

He has already linked up with the squad pic.twitter.com/WLH6j1Re0j

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) January 11, 2026

Why Jurel? Well, a few reasons. First, his current form is sensational. Representing Uttar Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored 558 runs in seven matches at an average of over 90, including two centuries and four half-centuries. He also captained the side to an unbeaten record in the tournament. Basically, he’s been unstoppable.

🚨 NEWS 🚨

Rishabh Pant ruled out of #INDvNZ ODI series; Dhruv Jurel named replacement.

Details 🔽 #TeamIndia | @IDFCFIRSTBankhttps://t.co/3hKb7Kdup2

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2026

Second, Jurel is already familiar with India’s ODI setup. He has been included in past squads for tours of South Africa and Australia, even if he didn’t get a chance to play because Pant and KL Rahul were ahead of him. So bringing him in as the replacement for Rishabh Pant maintains continuity rather than disrupting the team with someone who hasn’t played ODIs recently.

Why Not Ishan Kishan?

Naturally, some fans wondered why Ishan Kishan wasn’t picked. After all, he has ODI experience. The answer lies in India’s format-specific planning. Kishan has been earmarked primarily for T20 internationals, while Dhruv Jurel fits better into the ODI scheme. The team management is keeping players in roles tailored to each format, and bringing Kishan back for the India vs New Zealand ODI series would have upset that balance. So, it’s a strategic decision. Jurel gets the nod for his current form, his presence in the ODI pecking order, and India’s plan to groom players specifically for formats.

Final Thoughts

Fans will be hoping that Pant recovers quickly. His absence in the India vs New Zealand ODI series leaves a noticeable gap in the middle order and behind the stumps. But with Jurel stepping in, India still has a solid plan, and selectors are confident that the youngster can rise to the occasion. It’s worth noting that Pant’s injury history makes every setback feel dramatic. He’s survived car accidents, toe fractures, and countless strains over the years. Each time, though, he shows resilience, and fans can only hope that this latest chapter is no different.

Rishabh Pant’s ODI return suffers a setback 🤕

He has been diagnosed with a side strain and Dhruv Jurel will replace him in the ODI squad against New Zealand pic.twitter.com/m7PsChaTgl

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 11, 2026

So there you have it. Rishabh Pant’s recent injury has stirred up discussions, sparked viral outrage, and forced India to shuffle their ODI plans. Dhruv Jurel is the replacement for Rishabh Pant, and while he’s a talented young cricketer, all eyes will be on Pant’s recovery. The upcoming India vs New Zealand ODI series promises excitement, drama, and, hopefully, a swift return for India’s favourite wicketkeeper-batter.