‘We cannot play…’ – Gautam Gambhir defies critics to name KL Rahul as first choice wicketkeeper for Champions Trophy

Indian coach Gautam Gambhir has dealt Rishabh Pant a massive blow ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy. Gambhir has named KL Rahul as the frontline wicketkeeper for the tournament. This announcement comes just weeks after Ajit Agarkar said that Pant was India’s number one wicketkeeping option. 

Speaking at the end of the game against England on Wednesday, Gambhir said, “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."

Ajit Agarkar, while announcing the ODI squad, said, “Rishabh Pant is the first choice wicketkeeper batter in the Champions Trophy and England ODI squads." Many former cricketers were left puzzled after Pant didn’t get a chance to play in any of the three ODI matches against England. 

Gambhir hits back at critics after series win over England 

Indian coach Gautam Gambhir was called out for his decision to promote Axar Patel over KL Rahul in the first two games. Patel scored a fifty and followed it up with an unbeaten 41 in the second match. KL Rahul went back to his regular number five spot in the final ODI match in Ahmedabad. 

Speaking to the media at the end of the game, Gambhir said, “That's the way cricket is meant to be played. I know a lot of people talk about it, but that's the way we've got to play the game and that's the way cricket should be played. It's not about the batting order. It's about who can create what impact.”

The 43-year-old also said, “We don't look at averages and stats and all that stuff. We look at who can deliver more at that number, and Axar has done fabulously well. Both the games against England he got the opportunity, he delivered for us. I know there will always be people talking about it. But I think that's the way we want to go in the future as well.”

When asked to comment on Varun Chakravarthy being added to the Champions Trophy squad, Gambhir opined, “We know what Varun brings to the table; we know that Varun can be a massive threat. And with a lot of teams who haven't played him, he could be an X-factor as well. I'm not going to say that he's going to start and all that stuff, but it's always good to have a strong bowling line-up because we know that if he can actually get those wickets in the middle, it's always going to be an advantage."