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KL Rahul Ahead Of Pant; 3 Hints India Dropped For Champions Trophy In 1st ODI vs England

Abhinav Tyagi

KL Rahul -(Source:@Johns/X.com)KL Rahul -(Source:@Johns/X.com)

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On Thursday, February 6, India locked horns against England in the first ODI at the VCA stadium in Nagpur. Notably, it is Men In Blue's first ODI since their ODI series against Sri Lanka in July 2024.

Further, the ongoing ODI series also marks, India's last ODI tour before the crucial Champions Trophy 2025 that starts on February 19. India have named a similar squad for England ODIs and Champions Trophy just Harshit Rana has been replaced by Jasprit Bumrah for the tournament in Pakistan and UAE.

Talking about the first ODI, India dealt a heavy blow as Virat Kohli was ruled out with an injury. Nonetheless, the management has dropped enough hints about their preparations for the Champions Trophy. This article will shed light on three of those moves. 

1. KL Rahul To Keep Wickets; No Place For Rishabh Pant

Talking about the squad, there was one question as to whom would India go ahead with in the middle-order as several star players are in queue for No.5 spot. However, in the first ODI, India benched Rishabh Pant and went ahead with KL Rahul. 

Further, the doubt regarding who would keep wickets also looks like being resolved as Rahul was the one with the gloves. Thus, Pant is likely to not get any chance in the Champions Trophy.

2. Ravindra Jadeja Ahead Of Washington Sundar

It is worth noting that since Gautam Gambhir's appointment as India head coach, Jadeja hasn't featured in any ODIs, as India went ahead with Washington Sundar, who was a part of the team in Sri Lanka. 

However, in the first ODI, India benched Washington Sundar and went ahead with Jadeja, hinting that the CSK star might be preferred ahead of Sundar in the pecking order during Champions Trophy 2025.

Further, Axar Patel too was a part of the first ODI and formed a formidable pair with Jadeja, that India would hope to click during Champions Trophy 2025.

3. Arshdeep Singh Unlikely To Get A Match In Champions Trophy

For the first ODI, India went ahead with just two frontline seamers- Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana. Arshdeep Singh was on the bench, and it looks unlikely that he will get a chance in the Champions Trophy given that Jasprit Bumrah is completely fit. 

Singh might miss out on a spot because of India's temptation to play three spinners and two front-line seamers, which would be Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.