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Prior to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir endorsed wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, referring to him as the team's primary keeper option. Rahul and Rishabh Pant are the two wicketkeepers that India has selected for the Champions Trophy. During India's final assignment before the major event, a three-match ODI series against England, the team management demonstrated faith in Rahul.
Gambhir on Pant and Rahul
Pant was consequently forced to warm the bench during the three-match rubber and was not given the opportunity to play in the starting lineup. Rahul's batting performance was poor in the first two games of the series, as he was bowled for two and ten, respectively. In the third game, he finally regained his form, scoring 40 (29) to help India reach 356.
Gambhir discussed Rahul and Pant's fight for the Champions Trophy wicketkeeping spot, stating that KL has performed well thus far and that Pant would have to wait for his opportunity.
"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," said Gambhir in the post-match press conference.
Rahul has been India's go-to wicketkeeper-batsman since the ODI World Cup 2023, taking three catches and inflicting two stumpings in three ODIs. During the event, he had an incredible campaign, scoring 102 fifties and 452 runs from 10 innings at an average of 75.33. Rahul helped India chase down 201 in the opening game against Australia with a fantastic performance of 97* (115) under pressure.
Against the Netherlands, he also hit the fastest century ever scored by an Indian in the history of the competition, doing so in just 62 balls. In addition, with 17 dismissals—16 catches and one stumping—he inflicted the second-highest amount in the tournament.
However, since returning to international cricket following a 15-month injury layoff, Pant has only participated in one ODI. In his lone appearance against Sri Lanka in the third ODI in August 2024, the southpaw took one catch and batted six (9). Rahul will play as India's wicketkeeper in the Champions Trophy as the management once again showed faith in his glovework due to his tremendous performances with both bat and gloves.
