Selectors To Announce India's Wicketkeeper For Champions Trophy After Vijay Hazare Final
The discussions are in full swing about the wicketkeeper's place in the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. KL Rahul gave balance to the team while doing wicketkeeping in the 2023 World Cup, but it seems that this time he will not get a chance to handle this responsibility. The BCCI selection committee, which is headed by Ajit Agarkar, is considering Rishabh Pant as the primary choice for the role. The selection committee will meet on January 19.
According to a report, the selection committee will announce the 15-member provisional squad for the Champions Trophy after the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 19. The position of wicketkeeper is currently under discussion.
MAIN CONTENDERS FOR THE SPOT OF WICKET-KEEPING
Rishabh Pant's name is almost fixed as the first wicketkeeper in the Champions Trophy. However, there is a tough fight between Dhruv Jurel, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan for backup.
Jurel was recently added as Samson's backup in the T20 series against England. It is clear that the selectors are seriously looking at Jurel as a backup after Pant. On the other hand, Samson could not take part in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is weakening his position.
The recent performance of Ishan Kishan, who has scored a double century in ODIs, also did not live up to expectations. He scored only 316 runs in 7 matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, including a century. Due to this performance, he failed to win the trust of the selectors.
According to the report, the selectors are preparing Jurel as a backup to Rishabh Pant in Test and ODI formats, while Sanju Samson will be given more preference in T20. The objective of this strategy is to create a strong backup in all formats.
India and Pakistan are yet to announce their squads for the Champions Trophy. The rest of the teams had sent their provisional squads by January 12. India wanted some more time from the ICC so that the selection committee can consider all possible options.
Now it will be interesting to see which wicketkeeper the selectors will trust and with what balance Team India takes the field in the Champions Trophy.