IND vs NZ: Injury fears for India ahead of first ODI; star hitter leaves field in pain after being hit in net | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Wicket-keeper batting Rishabh Pant was briefly treated after being hit above the waist during net practice as India put the finishing touches to their preparations for the three-ODI series against New Zealand, starting on Sunday at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium. Pant was battling against Indian toss specialists when he took the blow and was seen wincing in pain.
The team support staff looked after him and head coach Gautam Gambhir was also present during the treatment. After receiving initial attention, Pant walked off the field from BCA Stadium’s B ground, where Indian captain Shubman Gill was later seen engaged in a lengthy discussion with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.Meanwhile, during Saturday’s optional practice session, former India captain Rohit Sharma was waiting in front of the net when pacer Mohammed Siraj arrived early for a batting stint and struggled to connect while trying to grab the ball. Rohit offered advice to Siraj during the session. Other players, including Indian vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, who had led Mumbai in a one-run defeat to Punjab in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Thursday, struck in partnership with KL Rahul, while Pant and Ravindra Jadeja also took a hit in the nets. Pant, Iyer and Siraj had all recently featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for their respective state teams, with their last matches taking place on January 8. The three-ODI series against a new New Zealand team begins in Baroda, with the second ODI scheduled for the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on January 14 and the final match scheduled at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
