ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma blocked Sanju Samson's selection after clash with Gautam Gambhir
Published - 19 Jan 2025, 10:33 AM | Updated - 19 Jan 2025, 10:36 AM
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India’s squad for the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was announced on Saturday (January 18) with some surprising calls taken by the national selectors. Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, revealed the 15-member squad during a press conference in Mumbai after making the media wait for two and a half hours.
Some big names have been left out of the squad, which raised many eyebrows. Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who impressed with his performances last year, failed to secure a spot.
Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir clash over India's squad selection for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Mohammed Siraj and consistent performers like Karun Nair and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who dominated in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, were also ignored for the Champions Trophy 2025.
The Indian captain Rohit Sharma and selectors have picked Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul as the wicketkeepers for the upcoming prestigious tournament. Notably, before the squad announcement, there was reportedly an emergency meeting held in Mumbai between the Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir; captain Rohit Sharma; and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
It is being said that Gautam Gambhir, Rohit, and Agarkar were yet again not on the same page for the team selection for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Rohit and Gambhir have reportedly been involved in heated exchanges over key player choices for the 15-member squad during the emergency meeting. This time, Gambhir’s opinion didn’t take into account much.
Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar ignore Gautam Gambhir's suggestions entirely
According to a Dainik Jagran report, Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar had already decided on the final 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 before the announcement. Despite this, there was a two-and-a-half-hour-long emergency meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.
This meeting left a sour taste among the Indian cricket team’s think tank. According to the report, India head coach Gautam Gambhir wanted all-rounder Hardik Pandya to be appointed as the vice-captain for the eight-nation tournament. But Rohit and Agarkar were adamant about Shubman Gill.
As they say, the majority wins; Gambhir’s opinion was overlooked completely, and out-of-form Shubman Gill was named India’s vice-captain for the mega event. Rohit and Agarkar are totally against giving any leadership role to Hardik Pandya despite many BCCI officials being in the all-rounder’s favor.
Read Also: IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant beats Nicholas Pooran to secure LSG captaincy
Gautam Gambhir’s suggestions to select Sanju Samson over Rishabh Pant were rejected in the emergency meeting
Well, there was also an intense debate over the wicketkeeper’s choice, as Gautam Gambhir pushed for the inclusion of Sanju Samson, who had delivered stellar performances last year, including three T20I centuries. But yet again, Rohit and Agarkar turned down the coach’s suggestion.
Gambhir advocated for Sanju Samson’s selection as the wicketkeeper in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad, but Rohit and Agarkar were firm on Rishabh Pant, which led to another heated argument. Following the intense disagreement, Rohit and Agarkar picked Rishabh Pant over Samson.
However, some reports suggested that Sanju Samson was not even considered for selection, as the selection committee was not happy with his decision to skip the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 despite the BCCI making domestic cricket mandatory for Indian players.
