Dhruv Jurel was named as Rishabh Pant’s replacement in India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series after Pant was ruled out with a side strain. Pant suffered the injury while batting in the nets at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, underwent MRI scans, and was diagnosed with an oblique muscle tear, forcing him out of the entire three-match series.
Star young player Dhruv Jurel was on Sunday named as Rishabh Pant’s replacement in India’s ODI squad for the three-match series against New Zealand after the senior wicketkeeper-batter was ruled out with a side strain. The series gets underway in Vadodara, where India were dealt an injury setback just a day before the opening match.
Pant sustained the injury while batting during India’s practice session on Saturday at the BCA Stadium. According to a statement released by the BCCI, the left-hander felt sudden discomfort in the right lateral abdominal area and was immediately sent for MRI scans. Following detailed consultations by the BCCI medical team with specialists, Pant was diagnosed with an oblique muscle tear and subsequently ruled out of the entire ODI series.
With Pant unavailable, the Men’s Selection Committee moved swiftly to rope in Dhruv Jurel, who has been in impressive form in domestic cricket. Jurel, currently featuring in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, has enjoyed a prolific run with the bat, scoring six fifty-plus knocks in seven innings, including two centuries. His consistency and ability to perform under pressure earned him a call-up as the reserve wicketkeeper-batter for the series.
Jurel has already linked up with the Indian squad and will provide cover behind the stumps alongside KL Rahul, who remains the first-choice wicketkeeper. While Jurel may not be guaranteed immediate game time, his recent performances have put him firmly in contention and added valuable depth to India’s middle order.
India’s updated ODI squad for the New Zealand series features Shubman Gill as captain, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul forming the experienced core of the batting unit. Shreyas Iyer has been named vice-captain, while the squad also includes Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel.
Viral Video Shows New Zealand Cricketers On A Calm Morning Walk In Vadodara Ahead Of IND vs NZ 1st ODI
As cricket fever grips Vadodara ahead of the highly anticipated India vs New Zealand three-match ODI series, a viral video circulating on social media appears to show members of the New Zealand cricket team taking a relaxed morning walk through the city ahead of the first One-Day International on January 11. Fans on platforms like Instagram and X have shared clips and reels capturing glimpses of the Black Caps enjoying a quiet start to the day before the competitive action begins.
The videos have added to the growing buzz around the series opener in Vadodara, with supporters reacting enthusiastically to the sight of visiting players exploring the local surroundings. Cricket followers have been quick to comment on the contrast between the laid-back early morning mood in the footage and the intensity expected on the field later in the day.
The ODI series marks one of the first major international white-ball contests in India’s 2026 calendar, and excitement among the home crowd has been palpable. On the Indian side, preparations have been equally eye-catching, with several viral training videos showing India’s senior batters in spirited practice sessions.
While the New Zealand camp has kept its on-field preparations more low-profile, the viral morning walk videos have humanised the touring players and sparked curiosity about their routines and mindset as they face the formidable Indian side. With the opening ODI just hours away, these snippets of life off the pitch have only heightened anticipation for what promises to be an entertaining and competitive series in Vadodara.
