India head coach Gautam Gambhir has called KL Rahul India's number one wicketkeeper ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He also said that Rishabh Pant will get his chances.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir made it clear that KL Rahul is team's first-choice wicketkeeper going into the Champions Trophy and the flamboyant Rishabh Pant is not being considered as an option in the playing eleven in the immediate future.

Former India captain and chairman of selectors feels given Rahul’s past record, he is best suited to bat at No 5

It was surprising to see Rishabh Pant being preferred over KL Rahul in the white-ball format, so did India coach Gautam Gambhir get it wrong?

"Hey, Gambhir, what you are doing is not right. Yes, depending on the situation, India can send Axar at No. 5, but it cannot be a consistent strategy. If you keep making such changes, you know what will happen there will be a crucial match where everything falls apart. That's what worries me," he added.

Srikkanth further suggested that if Rahul is to bat at No. 6, then Rishabh Pant should be given that position. He voiced his concerns over sidelining Pant and predicted that he might play in the third ODI and the Champions Trophy.