ICC Champions Trophy 2025: KL Rahul kicked aside as two wicketkeepers chosen for CT

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has shared his views on the debate over India's wicketkeeper for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Dhruv Jurel in line for the main and backupkeeping options.

Basit Ali believes that Rishabh Pant's skill set puts him ahead of KL Rahul for the upcoming prestigious tournament. He said that Rishabh Pant should be India’s first choice and Sanju Samson will be the second option, making it tough for KL Rahul to secure a spot in India’s squad as a primary keeper.

Basit Ali picks Rishabh Pant over KL Rahul as India's first-choice wicketkeeper for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rishabh Pant might not have played many ODIs since returning to action after his horrific car accident, but his supreme wicketkeeping and explosive batting, along with his past performances, make him the favorite for the first-choice Indian wicketkeeper for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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On the other hand, Sanju Samson has also emerged as a strong contender for the role after his explosive performances as an opener in T20I cricket. Following Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20Is, Samson grabbed the opportunity with both hands as an opener, becoming the first player to score three centuries in a calendar year in T20I cricket.

Basit Ali said at the ICC event: “Rishabh Pant should be the first choice. Sanju Samson will be the second choice. I think it will be difficult for KL Rahul.”

Players do not have ground fitness like him: Basit Ali hails Virat Kohli's fitness

Speaking about the fittest player in the Indian cricket team, the former Pakistan selector praised Virat Kohli for being the fittest Indian cricketer. He noted that Virat Kohli’s fitness level is higher than even the youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.

He mentioned that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have potential, but they don’t match Virat Kohli's ground fitness, as he highlighted the former Indian captain’s ability to run around the ground, like slips, cover, mid-off, and deep, thanks to his supreme fitness level.

Basit further noted, “Virat Kohli has high fitness. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill are there, but they are not top-class players. Players do not have ground fitness like Virat. Like running in the ground, shouting from slips, cover, mid-off, or deep, from four sides of the ground.”

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Basit Ali says Jasprit Bumrah is the best of all ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Furthermore, Basit Ali also showered rich praise on Jasprit Bumrah, saying no player in the Indian team is currently on the same level as the pacer. He also noted only Mohammed Shami has the potential to match Bumrah's skill with the ball, but only if he is fully fit.

Basit signed off by saying, “Jasprit Bumrah is the best of all. You take the names of Shami, Arshdeep, and Siraj; no one is close to him. If someone comes a little close, it is Shami that too, if he is fit.”

However, there are dark clouds over both Bumrah's and Shami’s availability for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to their fitness. Along with the duo, India is also sweating over Kuldeep Yadav’s fitness, as they have not yet announced the squad for the upcoming tournament.