Not Ishan Kishan! Selectors Pick THIS 24-Year-Old Wicketkeeper as Pant’s Replacement

Team India has drafted Dhruv Jurel into the ODI squad to replace injured Rishabh Pant. Following a right-side strain with the internal oblique tear, Pant has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The injury ruled Pant out as a backup for wicketkeeper behind KL Rahul, and the selectors have thus turned to 24-year-old Jurel, who flew in on Saturday night to join the squad.

Pant Ruled Out After Injury in Nets

On the day of his practice, Rishabh Pant felt sudden discomfort in his right lateral abdominal area. He was taken to the scans immediately, and the BCCI Medical Team later confirmed a side strain.

In an official statement, the BCCI said that Pant has been diagnosed with an oblique muscle tear and will miss the entire ODI series. He was initially in the squad as a backup wicketkeeper and middle-order option, but due to his injury, the selectors had to call in a replacement.

Jurel's selection came after an outstanding Vijay Hazare Trophy performance for Uttar Pradesh, where he scored 558 runs in seven matches with an outstanding average of 93.00, including two centuries and four fifties-again strength was a big motivational factor in his selection with great red-ball and domestic form.

Why Ishan Kishan Was Not Picked

It was speculated that Ishan Kishan could be a replacement for Pant, as he already has experience in ODIs and a double century in the format. Kishan has played much 27 ODIs, scoring 933 runs, including seven fifties. However, evidently the selectors feel there are T20 options for him for now, for even only in T20Is was he included in the New Zealand series and upcoming T20 World Cup.

However, Dhruv Jurel leapt Kishan in the ODI set-up owing to some glittering domestic form. It is, however, highly unlikely that Jurel would get to make his ODI debut straightaway. The best chance could be the third ODI, provided India has already wrapped up the series in the first two matches.