India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is shaping up, but some positions remain hotly debated among former players, analysts, and fans. One of the most contested roles is that of the wicket-keeper batter, with three strong contenders in the fray. KL Rahul has been a mainstay in ODIs, while Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson also remain viable options. However, former cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar have sparked discussions by excluding Pant from their 15-member squad for the tournament.
Pant made his ODI comeback during India’s 2024 tour of Sri Lanka, playing in a three-match series. Despite this, neither Manjrekar nor Bangar supported his inclusion. Speaking on Star Sports, Bangar, a former India batting coach, explained his reasoning. “Pant was out of action for quite some time. While he made a decent return in T20Is and Tests, his ODI performances have not been up to the mark. KL Rahul, in my view, should remain the first-choice wicketkeeper.”
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Manjrekar, on the other hand, backed Sanju Samson as the backup wicketkeeper. “I have always believed in Samson’s potential. While he initially struggled for consistency and might not fit the role lower down the order, India could use his big-hitting ability in the final 10 overs. I agree with Bangar on not picking Pant,” he stated.
Pant’s recent ODI form hasn’t helped his case. In the Sri Lanka series, he played just one game, batting at No. 4, where he scored a mere six runs off nine balls.
Samson, meanwhile, hasn’t strengthened his position either. Although he has impressed in T20Is, he was notably left out of Kerala’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s domestic 50-over competition, reportedly due to his absence from a team camp.
