India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed KL Rahul's position as the primary wicketkeeper for the upcoming Champions Trophy, indicating that Rishabh Pant will not be immediately considered for the playing eleven.
In the ODI series against England, Pant was the only player who did not receive an opportunity to play, while all other team members participated in at least one match.
Rahul initially struggled at the number 6 position in the first two matches. However, he showed improved performance when he moved to his familiar number 5 spot, scoring 40 runs off 29 balls in India's 142-run victory in the third ODI in Ahmedabad.
"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," Gambhir told media at the series-ending press conference on Wednesday.
When questioned about Axar Patel batting at number 5 in the initial matches despite Rahul's strong batting average in that position, Gambhir emphasised team priorities over individual statistics.
"We don't look at averages and stats. We look at who can deliver when," he replied.
The exclusion of young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal from the Champions Trophy squad was explained as a strategic decision to include Varun Chakravarthy as the fifth specialist spinner.
"The only reason was we wanted a wicket-taking option and we know Varun Chakravarthy can be that option. Yashasvi Jaiswal has a long future ahead and we can only play 15," Gambhir said.
Regarding Jasprit Bumrah's back injury and subsequent withdrawal from the Champions Trophy, Gambhir maintained a reserved stance, deferring to medical expertise.
"Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out. I cannot give details because the medical team decides in NCA and they will give (the updates)."
The coach addressed concerns about Shubman Gill's performance across different formats. Despite Gill's impressive ODI series with two fifties and a century on batting-friendly pitches, he had struggled on the challenging Australian tracks.
"Problem is we keep judging people after every innings. Shubman Gill is young. Test cricket is tough and going forward he can deliver in that format."
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