KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant? Ajit Agarkar names first-choice wicketkeeper for ODI format

India’s Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar was flanked by skipper Rohit Sharma as the duo came out to address the media. After over two hours of wait, the teams for ODI series against England and Champions Trophy 2025 were announced. Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul were included in the team which left the fans confused about the wicketkeeping slot. 

Ajit Agarkar while addressing the media said “Rishabh Pant is the first choice wicketkeeper batter in Champions Trophy and England ODI squads”. Kl Rahul was doing wicketkeeping duties when Pant was out of the game in 2023. The 32-year-old was also the wicketkeeper for the national side during the 2023 ODI World Cup. 

Sanju Samson wasn’t considered as he hadn’t taken part in the Vijay Hazare Trophy recently. Dhurv Jurel too has been ignored with the selectors exercising their faith in Pant and Rahul to shore up the middle-order. Shreyas Iyer has been recalled to the side after his return to form with the bat for Mumbai. 

Kuldeep Yadav earns recall to ODI side 

Left-arm wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav has been named in the team for Champions Trophy 2025 and ODI series versus England. The 30-year-old last played for India in the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand before being sidelined. Yadav’s last ODI match was during the tour of Sri Lanka and will be expected to lead the spin attack for India. 

Washington Sundar has also been included in the team after his decent performances in the last few months. Varun Chakravarthy who had impressed with the ball during the Vijay Hazare Trophy wasn’t included. Young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi was also ignored after bowling well during the home series against Bangladesh and the South African tour. 

Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are also part of the side with the Indian selectors opting to go in with experience. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has played 197 ODI matches for India has picked 220 wickets with two fifers. The 36-year-old played his last ODI in 2023 which was the ODI World Cup final against Australia. 

Axar Patel on the other hand will be looking to play key role not just with the ball but also lower down the order with the bat. The 30-year-old was recently named the vice-captain of the T20I side. Axar has played 60 ODI matches and picked 64 wickets and scored 568 runs with two half-centuries.