Last Updated:February 16, 2025, 13:04 IST

India Head Coach, Gautam Gambhir may not have been on the same page with BCCI selectors after a report claims a heated exchange regarding the squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025, it seems that the India Head Coach, Gautam Gambhir may not have been on the same page with the Board of Control for Cricket in India selectors led by Ajit Agarkar, the former India cricketer with certain decisions regarding the squad for the upcoming ICC tournament.

According to a report by the Times of India, it is suggested that the selection meeting saw a heated discussion regarding the team’s wicketkeeping options, along with keeping Shreyas Iyer in the squad as well.

“Sources indicated that there had been heated debate in the selection meeting around retaining Shreyas Iyer in the team and over the second-choice wicketkeeper’s slot,” the report claims.

KL Rahul played in all three ODIs in the recently concluded series against England. But Rishabh Pant who was the second-choice keeper, was the only one to not get game-time despite the upcoming Champions Trophy. To add further concern, Gambhir had also revealed in a press conference that Rahul would be the team’s first-choice keeper, raising concerns on Pant’s place in the team.

“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 post-match press conference on Wednesday as quoted by PTI.

Pant’s chances of making it in the squad took a bigger hit when the team opted to promote Axar Patel up the order to give them the left-handed batting option when needed. The all-rounder had impressed when given the task scoring 52 and an unbeaten 41 in the first two ODIs. In fact, Axar also played a key role in the iconic T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa, chipping in with 47 runs while building a crucial partnership with Virat Kohli to help them get to a defendable target.

Shreyas Iyer on the other hand, has had an impressive return to ODI cricket. In the England series, he finished with 181 runs, being India’s second-highest run-scorer. His impressive displays could be India’s solution for their middle-order woes.

Despite the difference in approaches, Gambhir has gotten the Indian team firing on all cylinders in the lead-up to the tournament. With a 3-0 win over England at home, the Men in Blue will be coming in confident as they hope to get their first ICC title under the Gambhir era.