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If a report by Times of India (TOI) is to be believed, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar were not on the same page regarding the selection of some players for the Champions Trophy. They disagreed on wicketkeeping options, and keeping Shreyas Iyer in the roster as well.
Notably, KL Rahul played all three ODI games against England ahead of the Champions Trophy, which served as a preparatory series for the Indian team. The development meant Rishabh Pant warmed the benches throughout the series and is not expected to be taking the field in India’s tournament opener against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai.
Moreover, Shreyas Iyer was initially set to be out of the XI in the first ODI against England despite scoring 500+ runs in the 2023 World Cup. However, Virat Kohli’s knee issues forced captain Rohit Sharma to make a change in the XI and include Iyer. The right-hander played an astonishing knock, slamming 59 off 36 to help the team win the game.
As a result, Iyer retained his place in the XI, while Yashasvi Jaiswal was dropped. The 30-year-old continued his impressive form, ending with 181 runs in three games in the series. Looking at his form, Iyer was included in the Champions Trophy, and Jaiswal was excluded. However, the decision seems to have caused a major disagreement between Gambhir and Agarkar.
“Sources indicated that there had been heated debate in the selection meeting around retaining Shreyas Iyer in the team and over the second-choice wicketkeeper’s slot,” the report claims.
Notably, Gautam Gambhir had made it clear that KL Rahul was their first-choice keeper, and Pant can’t be accommodated in the XI.
“KL is our No 1 wicketkeeper and this is what I can say at the moment. Rishabh Pant will get his chance but at the moment it is KL who has done well and we cannot play two wicketkeeper-batters,” Gambhir told media at the post-match press conference on Wednesday as quoted by PTI.
Rishabh Pant cops a blow on his knee ahead of Champions Trophy
Star Indian keeper batter Rishabh Pant engaged in a training session after landing in Dubai for the Champions Trophy. Unfortunately, Pant sustained a blow on his knee during the practice, and looked in discomfort and was limping. However, the southpaw continued his practice, after a medical attention, while his knee was strapped.
It is worth noting that it’s the same knee which was damaged after Pant suffered a horrific accident in December 2022. He then made a return to competitive cricket in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League.
It will be interesting to see if Rishabh Pant gets an opportunity to play for India in the Champions Trophy, slated to take place from February 19 to March 9.
