Big Blow for Team India! Rishabh Pant suffers injury scare in nets, doubtful for 1st ODI
If there’s one player who has taught us about resilience, it’s Rishabh Pant. But even for a man of his grit, Saturday afternoon at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium provided a moment that made the entire Indian camp and the fans stop in their tracks.
Under the warm winter sun, just 24 hours before the 1st ODI against New Zealand, Pant was putting in the hard yards. He’d been in the nets for nearly 50 minutes, looking sharp and focused. Then, the vibe changed.
The Blow that Stunned the Nets
It wasn’t a world-class delivery from a rival that did it, but a sharp, rising ball from an Indian throwdown specialist. The delivery reared up unexpectedly, catching Pant squarely above the waist.
The reaction was immediate. Pant was seen grimacing in pain, doubled over as the support staff rushed to the center. Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, never one to hide his emotions, watched on with a look of visible anxiety. After some initial on-field treatment, Pant didn’t resume his hit. Instead, he walked off Ground B gingerly, his training session cut short.
The most telling sign? Shortly after, skipper Shubman Gill and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar were spotted in an animated, long-drawn conversation. In the world of cricket, that usually means “Plan B” is being discussed.
The Momentum Interrupted
What makes this scare so frustrating is the rhythm Pant has been building. He’s been grinding it out in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) to prove he’s ready for the 50-over format.
In 7 matches for Delhi, he notched 212 runs at a solid average of 42.40. He looked like the Pant of old in patches, smashing two fifties, including a fluent 70 against Gujarat that reminded everyone of his ability to anchor and explode.
He came into this series not just as a squad member, but as a player fighting for a spot in a crowded wicketkeeping stable alongside KL Rahul and the surging Ishan Kishan.
What Happens Now?
With the series opener scheduled for tomorrow, January 11, the medical team is likely working overtime. If Pant is sidelined, it simplifies the XI – KL Rahul will almost certainly take the gloves but it robs India of their most dynamic “X-factor” middle-order option.
The team’s “maintenance” session was meant to be about fine-tuning, but it has turned into a fitness race. For Pant, who has spent the last few years defying the odds, we’re all hoping this is just a painful bruise and not another hurdle in his comeback story.