Injury turns villain; Rishabh Pant out of ODI team, Dhruv Jurel to replace

VADODARA: Dhruv Jurel has been included in the Indian team for the ODI series against New Zealand. Jurel was included in the team by the selectors as a replacement for wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who was out injured. Pant was injured during nets training. A throwdown specialist's bowl hit his rib. The player decided to sit out the series after a subsequent examination revealed a strain on his rib.

The wicketkeeper-batsman Jurel's brilliant performance in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy opened the door to the Indian team. Jurel has scored 558 runs in seven matches at an average of over 90 in the season. He has scored two centuries and four half-centuries in the tournament.

Jurel was called up by the selectors on Saturday evening, and he joined the Indian team in Vadodara by nightfall. Jurel was part of the ODI series against South Africa, but has yet to make his ODI debut. He has played nine Tests and four T20Is for India so far. The first match of the series will be played in Vadodara at 1:30 pm today.