Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant has been officially ruled out of the upcoming three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand, following a side strain injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the development, stating that Dhruv Jurel has been named as Pant's replacement in the squad. Pant sustained the injury during a practice session on Saturday afternoon, January 10, 2026, at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, where he experienced discomfort in his right lateral abdominal area after being hit above his waist by a throwdown specialist. He was immediately taken for MRI scans, which revealed a side strain, specifically an oblique muscle tear, confirming his unavailability for the series. The BCCI's Men's Selection Committee promptly named Dhruv Jurel, a 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, as Pant's replacement. Jurel joins the national squad on the back of an impressive performance in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, where he was Uttar Pradesh's top scorer with 558 runs in seven matches at an average of over 90, including two centuries and four half-centuries. This news comes just as the ODI series against New Zealand is scheduled to commence on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Pant is expected to undergo rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.