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Rishabh Pant’s chances in India’s playing 11 for Champions Trophy 2025 are slim as Head Coach Gautam Gambhir favors KL Rahul as the primary wicketkeeper.
KL Rahul will be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper instead of Rishabh Pant. (Image: Sportzpics, AFP)
Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant’s chances of making it into India’s playing 11 may have taken a massive blow with the Head Coach, Gautam Gambhir openly stating that KL Rahul would be his first-choice gloveman as they head into the Champions Trophy 2025.
A point to note is that among all the players that are in the squad, only Pant is the one that did not get a single game. Rahul struggled initially when he played at the number six position with Axar Patel being promoted higher up the order. But since playing at his designated number five position, he put in a solid effort scoring 40 off 29 balls in the first innings of the 3rd ODI against England in Ahmedabad.
“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 series-ending press conference on Wednesday as quoted by PTI.
Gambhir was also asked regarding the decision to push Axar up instead of Rahul who has better numbers in the position. He replied by saying that it is a team-first approach focused on who can deliver the best results.
“We don’t look at averages and stats. We look at who can deliver when,” he replied.
He also mentioned that the side needed an additional wicket-taking option which resulted in Yashasvi Jaiswal being dropped from the side. He also mentioned that Jaiswal had a long career ahead of him and would have more chances in the near future.
“The only reason was we wanted a wicket-taking option and we know Varun Chakravarthy can be that option. Yashasvi Jaiswal has a long future ahead and we can only play 15,” Gambhir gave a short and crisp rationale for dropping the Mumbai batter.
The series against England ended on a positive note with India whitewashing the visitors 3-0. Now they will have their sole focus on the Champions Trophy 2025 where Gambhir will be looking to make a massive statement.
- Location :
Ahmadabad, India, India
