India vs New Zealand ODIs: India wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has replaced injured Rishabh Pant in India's squad for the three-match ODI series, starting from Sunday in Vadodara, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Sunday.
"The Men’s Selection Committee has named Dhruv Jurel as Pant’s replacement, and Jurel has linked up with the squad," BCCI said in an statement.
In the final practice ahead of the 1st ODI, Pant briefly needed treatment after being hit during net. Pant was left wincing in pain when he was struck a blow just above his waist while batting against Indian throwdown specialists and was examined by the team's support staff and other members, including head coach Gautam Gambhir.
"Wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant felt a sudden onset discomfort in his right lateral abdominal area while batting in the nets during India’s practice session on Saturday afternoon at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara," it further added.
"He was taken for MRI scans immediately and the BCCI Medical Team had a detailed discussion with an expert on his clinical and radiological findings. Pant has been diagnosed with a side strain (Oblique Muscle Tear) and is subsequently ruled out of the ODI Series," the statement further read.
After acquiring some initial treatment, Pant, however, strode off the field of the BCA Stadium's Ground B, where India captain Shubman Gill was seen having a long conversation with the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar.
Jurel has been Uttar Pradesh's standout performer in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He leads Uttar Pradesh and is their top scorer in the tournament with 558 runs (2 centuries, 4 fifties) at an average of over 90 in 7 matches.
In the last practice session ahead of 1st ODI, India's vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is gearing up for the ODI series against New Zealand. Iyer, who batted alongside KL Rahul, showcased his batting prowess with a 45-run knock. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja was also spotted putting in work during net practice.
The ODI series against a new-look New Zealand team will start here with the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium set to host its first men's international match.
India's updated ODI squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (WK).
The second ODI will be hosted at Rajkot's Niranjan Shah Stadium on January 14, while the third and final will be at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.