Rishabh Pant forced to grind hard in nets as Virat Kohli skips practice before 1st ODI vs NZ

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant put in extra work during the practice session ahead of the first ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand. Pant decided to keep training even after others finished, while Virat Kohli skipped the practice session before the match, which is set to begin on January 11.

Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are the two wicketkeeper-batters named in India’s 15-member squad. Pant was not included in the playing XI in the previous ODI series against South Africa, even when Shreyas Iyer was available, and it appears unlikely that he will get an opportunity in the upcoming series either.

Rishabh Pant Puts in Extra Nets, Virat Kohli Skips Session

India trained hard on Saturday, January 10, as they prepared for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill took part in the session. Virat Kohli did not attend practice on the day.

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Most players wrapped up their training after some time, but Rishabh Pant stayed back in the nets. He continued batting even after others had finished, showing his strong work ethic and focus ahead of the series.

Pant, Iyer, Siraj in action along with Jadeja, KL Rahul, Rohit and Gill. No Virat today in practice. pic.twitter.com/8HnWmee9QB

— Vimal कुमार (@Vimalwa) January 10, 2026

All finished but Pant in no mood to leave nets. Seems this is not optional for him! pic.twitter.com/vfFYmrMuZy

— Vimal कुमार (@Vimalwa) January 10, 2026

The three-match ODI series will begin on Sunday, January 11, at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. This series will be India’s first international assignment of 2026. After the ODIs, the team will shift focus to a five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

India come into this series with confidence after beating South Africa 2-1 in a home ODI series. Virat Kohli was named Player of the Series for his performances in that contest.

Rishabh Pant Last Featured in an ODI for India in August 2024

Rishabh Pant has played very little ODI cricket since returning from his car accident. He has featured in just one ODI, which came in August 2024 during the tour of Sri Lanka. He scored six runs in the third match of the series.

Ahead of the ODI series against New Zealand, Pant played several List A games. While most of the Indian squad reported to Vadodara on January 7, Pant was still in action for Delhi, playing their final group match against Haryana in Bengaluru on January 8.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj missed the ODI series against South Africa in late 2025 but had earlier played in the series against Australia. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are currently rested and are expected to return for the upcoming T20I series and the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Virat Kohli Enters New Zealand ODI Series on Back of Strong Form

Virat Kohli showed strong form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 while playing for Delhi. He appeared in two matches and scored 208 runs across two innings, including one fifty and one century. He made 131 runs from 101 balls against Andhra Pradesh.

In ODI cricket, Kohli has played 308 matches for India and scored 14,557 runs, the second-highest run-scorer in the format. He has scored 76 half-centuries and 53 centuries, with an average of 58.46 and a strike rate of 93.65.

Against New Zealand, Kohli has featured in 33 ODIs and scored 1,657 runs at an average of 55.23. He has hit nine half-centuries and six centuries against the Black Caps, with his best innings being an unbeaten 154 in 2016 at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium.

Also read: Sanjay Manjrekar brutally downgrades Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's legacy in fresh attack