Gambhir clashes with Agarkar in intense selection meeting for Shreyas Iyer, second wicketkeeper's spot

India have transitioned from a top-order dominant line-up to having more depth in their middle order. The recently-concluded England ODI series highlighted the strength of India's middle order, with Shreyas Iyer leading the way consistently. Despite this, there remains uncertainty over the middle-order slots, as head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed a preference for a left-right combination in the line-up, suggesting no fixed positions in the batting order.

With Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma finding their groove in patches, India out-performed England with the bat on the back of their performance from the middle-order. They (No. 4-7) collectively scored 375 runs (among four players) in three innings at a strike rate of 116.42, with three fifties. England (6 players in those positions), on the other hand, scored 278 runs at 23.16, with two fifties.

Iyer was the leading run-getter in the middle-order. Despite India having considered dropping him in the opening game to experiment on a left-right top-order line-up, he scored two fifties in his tally of 181 runs at 60.33. However, a report in the Times of India revealed that there was a "heated" selection meeting over Iyer's retention.

Rishabh Pant vs KL Rahul still on?

The report further revealed that the Gambhir-led Indian team management went against chief selector Ajit Agarkar by backing KL Rahul. The former India fast bowler, during his Champions Trophy presser last month, had confirmed Pant as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the ICC tournament and the England ODIs. But both Rohit and Gambhir sought continuity as Rahul featured in all three games against England.

"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," read the TOI report.

In his final press conference before India's departure for the Champions Trophy, Gambhir confirmed Rahul as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the Champions Trophy over Pant.

“Ultimately, it’s very difficult to talk about individuals, but all I can say is that if Pant is a part of the squad, he will get an opportunity. But at the moment obviously, KL is our number one wicketkeeper, and he’s delivered for us. When you have two wicketkeepers in the squad, you can’t play both with the kind of quality we’ve got. Hopefully, whenever he [Pant] gets an opportunity, he should be ready for it,” Gambhir said.

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