VADODARA – January 11, 2026: The Indian cricket camp has been hit with a significant roster change as the three-match ODI series against New Zealand begins. Young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has been drafted into the squad, stepping in for Rishabh Pant, who was officially ruled out of the series on Sunday morning due to a side strain.
The injury to Pant occurred during an intense optional practice session at the BCA Stadium on Saturday. Reports indicate the star keeper experienced sharp discomfort in his right abdominal area while batting in the nets. Immediate MRI scans confirmed an oblique muscle tear, forcing the medical team to prescribe a period of rest and rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Jurel’s call-up comes on the back of a sensational run in domestic cricket. Leading Uttar Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the 24-year-old has been in unstoppable form, amassing 558 runs in just seven matches at an average exceeding 90. His inclusion provides India with a high-momentum middle-order option, though the gloves for the series opener have been handed to the experienced KL Rahul.
1st ODI: India Opt to Bowl in Series Opener
As the action got underway in Vadodara, India’s captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to field first. Citing the potential impact of evening dew at the Kotambi Stadium, Gill opted to put the Kiwis in to bat, aiming to take advantage of the chase.
The match also marks a significant homecoming for veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who return to the ODI format following a successful stint against South Africa last month. For the visitors, Michael Bracewell leads a New Zealand side that features several fresh faces and the experienced Devon Conway at the top.
Playing XIs for the 1st ODI
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (Captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (Wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell (Captain), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok.
