Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar picked Rohit Sharma-led side's middle order for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2024-25 which is scheduled to start from February 19. Team India will play their opener clash against Bangladesh on February 20. Bangar believes that wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant will not find his spot in the squad for the mega event.
Apart from Pant, Bangar also reckons that Tilak Varma can play T20Is but he will not find a spot in India's squad for the 50-over tournament scheduled to take place next month.
According to Bangar, Shreyas Iyer who has been out of international cricket since 2024 will make a comeback in the squad for the marquee event. India veteran star KL Rahul will be doing wicketkeeping duties and if there is a need to add a backup wicketkeeper then the selectors will pick Sanju Samson over Pant.
"For me, Tilak Varma may not find a place in this 50-over team. He is a certainty in the T20 format. Shreyas Iyer has not done anything wrong. He has had a phenomenal World Cup in the 50-over format. Whatever domestic cricket he has played, he has been on fire," Bangar told Star Sports.
India veteran star KL Rahul will be doing wicketkeeping duties and if there is a need to add a backup wicketkeeper then the selectors will pick Sanju Samson over Pant.
"So he is your automatic No. 4 choice, and KL Rahul, because as a wicketkeeper-batter, the way he kept wickets and got important runs whenever needed. So KL Rahul will be my No. 5," Bangar added.
"I think, as a backup, you have to give that place to Sanju Samson because he averages above 50 in ODI cricket. Add to that, he is a man in form as well," he said.
"So if at all there has to be a backup wicketkeeper-batter, it has to be Sanju Samson. Yes, Rishabh Pant has started playing the T20 and the Test formats but this is a format where he will have to wait for his time," Bangar observed.
The upcoming Champions Trophy will be played in a hybrid model where India will play all their matches in Dubai including semifinal 1. The venue for the final depends upon India's performance in the marquee event. If India sealed their berth for the title decider then it will take place in Dubai otherwise Pakistan will host the finale.