Overview
- Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series after a medical review confirmed a right-sided strain with an internal oblique muscle tear sustained during net practice.
- The series begins January 11 at the Baroda Cricket Association’s Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, which hosts its first men’s international.
- KL Rahul remains the first-choice wicketkeeper, and reports indicate selectors are likely to call a replacement, with Ishan Kishan widely mentioned.
- New Zealand arrive with a new-look squad captained by Michael Bracewell, with Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson and other regulars unavailable.
- Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are rested for workload management as India lean on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in their last ODIs before a prolonged shift to T20 cricket.