Rishabh Pant Suffers Injury Scare During India Nets Ahead of NZ ODIs

India had fine-tuned their preparations while Rishabh Pant briefly required treatment after being hit while batting.

Former India skipper Rohit Sharma was seen offering batting tips to Mohammed Siraj, while wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant briefly needed medical attention during India’s net session in Vadodara as the team put the final touches to its preparations for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting on Sunday.

Rohit was waiting outside the nets when Siraj, who had arrived early for practice, struggled to connect while attempting an aggressive shot. The India opener then shared a few batting pointers with the pacer, who only had a short batting stint during India’s optional training session on Saturday. Several other squad members also turned up for the session.

India vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, who had captained Mumbai in their narrow one-run loss to Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Thursday, batted alongside KL Rahul in the nets. Pant and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also spent time honing their skills.

Siraj, Iyer and Pant were all involved in Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for their respective state teams, with January 8 marking their most recent appearances in the tournament.

Rishabh Pant Suffers Minor Scare

Pant, however, was left grimacing after being struck just above the waist while batting against Indian throwdown specialists. The team’s support staff quickly attended to him, with head coach Gautam Gambhir and other members also checking on the wicketkeeper.

After receiving initial treatment, Pant walked off from Ground B of the BCA Stadium. During the same period, India captain Shubman Gill was seen engaged in a long conversation with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.

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The three-ODI series against a new-look New Zealand side will begin in Vadodara, with the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium set to host its first men’s international match. The second ODI will be played at Rajkot’s Niranjan Shah Stadium on January 14, while the third and final match will take place at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.