KL Rahul Retains First-Choice Wicketkeeper Role as Pant Waits for Opportunity
February 13, 2025: India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has made it crystal clear that KL Rahul will be the team’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, effectively sidelining Rishabh Pant from the playing XI for now. Speaking at the post-series press conference after India’s 142-run victory over England in the third ODI, Gambhir emphasized that while Pant remains a part of the squad, Rahul is their preferred option behind the stumps.
KL Rahul Takes the Lead in Wicketkeeping Duties
Despite having two wicketkeepers in the squad, Gambhir firmly backed Rahul’s inclusion, stating:
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“When you’ve got two wicketkeepers in the squad, you can’t play both with the kind of quality we have. At the moment, KL is the No. 1 wicketkeeper, and he has delivered for us.”
Rahul, who initially batted at No. 6 in the first two ODIs, struggled to find rhythm but showed improvement at No. 5, scoring a crucial 40 off 29 balls in the third ODI.
Pant’s Wait Continues
Pant, who was not given a single start in the England ODI series, may have to wait for his opportunity. However, Gambhir left the door open for future selection:
“Hopefully, whenever he gets that opportunity, he should be ready for it. But at the moment, KL is the one who’s going to start.”
Shubman Gill’s Consistency Backed
Gambhir also addressed concerns about Shubman Gill’s form, particularly in Test cricket:
“The problem is that we keep judging players after every innings. He’s only 25, has a great future, and has already proven himself in ODIs. If he can succeed in this format, he can do it in Tests as well.”
He urged selectors and fans to have more patience with young cricketers and not judge them based on a few performances.
Mohammed Shami’s Workload Management
Gambhir also explained Mohammed Shami’s limited participation in the England series, revealing that workload management was the key factor:
“We played him in two T20Is and two ODIs to keep him fresh and ready for the Champions Trophy.”
With India set to compete in the Champions Trophy 2025, it is evident that Rahul will continue to don the gloves, while Pant waits for his chance. Will the team’s strategy pay off? Only time will tell.
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