Just when it seemed Rishabh Pant was finally back on track, cricket threw another curveball—this time, literally. During a routine training session ahead of India’s ODI series against New Zealand, the explosive wicketkeeper-batter was struck by a delivery while practicing his shots. The impact triggered a sharp pain in his side. Within hours, scans confirmed the worst: a tear in his oblique muscle—a Rishabh Pant injury that has now ruled him out of the entire three-match series.
This latest setback comes barely months after Pant returned from a devastating toe fracture that kept him out of action for much of 2025. For fans and teammates alike, the news is not just disappointing—it’s deeply frustrating. Pant, known for his fearless strokeplay and game-changing cameos, was expected to bring much-needed X-factor to India’s middle order against the Kiwis. Instead, young Dhruv Jurel will don the gloves in his absence .
Table of Contents
- How the Rishabh Pant Injury Happened: A Blow-by-Blow
- Medical Insight: Why Oblique Strains Are So Tricky for Batters
- Pant’s Turbulent Road to Recovery: From Car Crash to Toe Fracture
- Who Is Dhruv Jurel? The Young Replacement Steps Into Pant’s Shoes
- Impact on India’s ODI Strategy Without Pant’s Firepower
- What Next for Pant and His Road to the Champions Trophy?
- Conclusion: Resilience Tested—Yet Again
- Sources
How the Rishabh Pant Injury Happened: A Blow-by-Blow
The incident occurred during a net session at the team hotel in Mumbai. Pant, working on his pull and hook shots, was hit on the left side of his torso by a short-pitched delivery from a throwdown specialist. Initially, he tried to shake it off—but within minutes, he was visibly in discomfort, clutching his ribs.
Team physios were called immediately. After preliminary assessment, he was rushed for an MRI, which revealed a Grade 2 tear in the left oblique muscle . Such injuries typically require 3–6 weeks of rest and rehabilitation—far too long for the imminent New Zealand series.
Medical Insight: Why Oblique Strains Are So Tricky for Batters
Oblique strains are notoriously common—and debilitating—in cricket, especially for aggressive batters like Pant. These muscles run along the sides of the abdomen and are heavily engaged during rotational movements: pulling, cutting, and even running between wickets.
According to sports medicine experts at the British Journal of Sports Medicine, oblique tears can easily worsen if players return too soon, leading to chronic issues or re-injury . This is why teams treat them with extreme caution—especially in high-stakes international cricket.
Pant’s Turbulent Road to Recovery: From Car Crash to Toe Fracture
Pant’s recent history reads like a medical dossier. In December 2022, he survived a near-fatal car crash that left him with ligament tears, abrasions, and a spinal contusion. His miraculous recovery saw him return to international cricket in 2024—but not without setbacks.
During the 2025 home season, he suffered a hairline fracture in his right big toe while fielding, sidelining him for two months . Just as he regained match fitness, this new Rishabh Pant injury strikes—raising concerns about his long-term durability and workload management.
Who Is Dhruv Jurel? The Young Replacement Steps Into Pant’s Shoes
With Pant out, the BCCI has called up 22-year-old Dhruv Jurel—a rising star from Uttar Pradesh known for his tidy glovework and composed batting. Jurel made his T20I debut earlier this year and has impressed in domestic cricket with over 600 runs in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season.
While he lacks Pant’s explosive flair, Jurel offers stability—a trait India may lean on in a tightly contested series. [INTERNAL_LINK:young-indian-cricketers-to-watch] His selection also signals the board’s intent to build depth behind the stumps.
Impact on India’s ODI Strategy Without Pant’s Firepower
Pant’s absence reshapes India’s middle-order dynamics significantly. Known for his ability to accelerate from ball one, Pant often provided the spark needed in the death overs. Without him, the burden falls on Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, or even KL Rahul to shift gears—a role none replicate with Pant’s instinctive aggression.
Moreover, his wicketkeeping agility allowed India to deploy an extra batter. Jurel’s inclusion might force a more conservative lineup, potentially weakening the bowling attack.
What Next for Pant and His Road to the Champions Trophy?
All eyes now turn to the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2026. If Pant follows a strict rehab protocol, he could be fit in time—but only if there are no complications. The BCCI medical team is expected to monitor him closely, possibly sidelining him from IPL 2026 auctions or limiting his franchise workload.
For Pant, this isn’t just about fitness—it’s about timing. With the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, managing his body will be as crucial as managing his talent.
Conclusion: Resilience Tested—Yet Again
The Rishabh Pant injury saga is more than a cricketing setback—it’s a human story of perseverance under relentless adversity. Every time he rises, fate seems to push him down. Yet, Pant’s spirit remains unbroken. As fans, we can only hope this latest hurdle becomes another chapter in his remarkable comeback narrative—not the end of it.