ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Gautam Gambhir shuts down Rishabh Pant-KL Rahul debate for wicketkeeper's role
Published - 13 Feb 2025, 10:51 AM | Updated - 13 Feb 2025, 11:09 AM
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Rishabh Pant’s future as the wicketkeeper-batter looks dull, as the head coach Gautam Gambhir continues to prefer KL Rahul as India’s first-choice gloveman in ODI cricket. Even in the recent ODI series, Rishabh Pant only warmed the bench with KL Rahul playing in all games.
After whitewashing England in the three-match ODI series at home, the Men in Blue will embark on the ultimate mission of winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to kick off on February 19 with India taking on Bangladesh in their opening game in Dubai on February 20.
Gautam Gambhir confirms KL Rahul as No.1 wicketkeeper for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Before leaving for Dubai, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has ended speculation over India's wicketkeeper for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after the team’s 142-run win over England in the third and final ODI at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 12.
Read Also: Watch: Hardik Pandya attacks defenseless Joe Root with brutal throw in 3rd ODI
Gambhir has confirmed that KL Rahul will be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy despite growing calls for Rishabh Pant’s return to the ODI XI. However, the Indian head coach hinted that Rishabh Pant is in the mix, but they can't play two wicketkeepers, so he must stay ready for his chance when it comes.
We can’t play both the wicketkeepers: Gautam Gambhir on Rishabh Pant's chances
Gautam Gambhir said at the post-match presentation 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 delivered for us who is going to start, and we cannot play two wicketkeeper-batters.
See, when you’ve got two wicketkeepers in this squad, you can’t play both the wicketkeepers with the kind of quality we’ve got. Hopefully, whenever he gets that opportunity, he should be ready for it. That’s all I can say at the moment.”
Why Axar Patel batted ahead of KL Rahul? Gambhir reveals
Gambhir also broke his silence on India’s decision to send Axar Patel ahead of KL Rahul at No. 5 during the recent ODI series against England. This call faced a lot of criticism from former cricketers and fans.
However, the Indian cricket team head coach refused to give a clear answer but stressed that they make calls according to the situation. Gambhir noted, “We don’t look at averages and stats. We look at who can deliver when.”
Notably, Rahul returned to his usual No. 5 spot in the final ODI and played a quick knock of 40 runs off 29 balls to help India secure a dominant 142-run win over England in Ahmedabad. However, Rahul failed to deliver in the first two ODIs at No. 6, scoring only 2 and 10 runs.
Gambhir refuses to share details about Jasprit Bumrah's injury
The Indian head coach also didn’t reveal any details about Jasprit Bumrah's back injury, which has ruled him out of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Gambhir signed off by saying, “Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out. I cannot give details because the medical team decides in NCA, and they will give (the updates).”
