File picture of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.© AFP
Whereas most of India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad will likely be simple picks, some essential areas proceed to divide opinion amongst former cricketers, consultants and followers. One of many contentious positions is the function of the wicket-keeper batter in Crew India’s setup, with three top of the range candidates for the function. KL Rahul has been the established wicket-keeper batter in ODIs for fairly a while, whereas Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson are additionally very a lot within the combine. Now, Former India cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar have stirred debate by leaving out Pant from their 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy.
Pant returned to aggressive ODI cricket solely in 2024, when India toured Sri Lanka for a three-match sequence. Nonetheless, neither Manjrekar nor Bangar had been in favour of selecting Pant.
“Pant was away from cricket for a very long time. He did make return in T20Is and Check, however he by no means had that good kind in ODI cricket. KL Rahul ought to be your first-choice keeper,” mentioned former India batting coach Bangar, talking on Star Sports activities, in line with Hindustan Instances.
Manjrekar batted for the number of Sanju Samson over Rishabh Pant as India’s back-up wicketkeeper for the Champions Trophy.
“I’ve been believer in Samson. Sure he wasn’t scoring runs initially and possibly he is not a match down the order. But when India desire a huge hitter for the final 10 overs, and I agree with Sanjay Bangar on Pant,” mentioned Manjrekar.
Pant performed solely one of many three matches within the ODI sequence in opposition to Sri Lanka. Strolling in to bat at No. 4, he did not impress, scoring simply six runs in 9 balls.
Then again, Samson hasn’t helped his case both. Regardless of impressing in T20Is, Samson was omitted of Kerala’s squad for India’s 50-over home event, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, as a result of he didn’t attend a camp with the aspect.
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