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Gambhir Clashes With Agarkar Over Shreyas Iyer And Wicketkeeper Spot In Heated Selection Meeting

Rajgeeta Yadav

Gambhir Clashes With Agarkar [Source: @_Overcovers and @ImMayank_45/X.com]Gambhir Clashes With Agarkar [Source: @_Overcovers and @ImMayank_45/X.com]

India's recent three-match ODI series against England brought some positive takeaways, especially in the middle order, where Shreyas Iyer shined. However, there’s uncertainty about middle-order spots in India’s playing XI for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has made it clear that he wants a left-right batting combination in the lineup, meaning players won’t have fixed positions.

During the England series, India’s batting largely relied on the middle order. The players batting at No. 4 to No. 7 scored a combined 375 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 116.42 and an average of 60.33. 

Shreyas Iyer was India's best middle-order batter in the series. Even though there were talks about dropping him in the first game to try a different combination, he proved his worth. He scored two fifties and finished with 181 runs at an average of 60.33. However, a report from the Times of India revealed that Iyer's place in the squad led to a heated debate in the selection meeting between Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar.

Gambhir vs Agarkar Over Wicketkeeper Choice

The disagreements didn’t stop there. The report also mentioned that Gambhir and the Indian team management opposed chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s decision regarding the wicketkeeper role. Last month, Agarkar had announced that Rishabh Pant would be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the Champions Trophy and the England ODIs. But Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma backed KL Rahul instead, ensuring he played all three games against England.

According to TOI, "Selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar, while announcing the Champions Trophy squad, had claimed Pant was the first-choice wicketkeeper. As it turned out, Pant is the only player in the squad who didn't get a game in the three ODIs in the England series. Sources indicated that there had been heated debate in the selection meeting around retaining Shreyas Iyer in the team and over the second wicketkeeper's slot."

KL Rahul Gets the Nod Over Pant

Before India's departure for the CT, Gambhir confirmed that Rahul would be the first-choice wicketkeeper over Pant.

In the England series, KL Rahul took three catches and completed two stumpings. He has been India's go-to wicketkeeper since the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he had an impressive run. He scored 452 runs in 10 innings at an average of 75.33, including one century and two fifties.