Gambhir goes against Agarkar as India have 'heated' selection meeting over Shreyas Iyer, second wicketkeeper's spot

[rollingstoned]

Gambhir goes against Agarkar as India have 'heated' selection meeting over Shreyas Iyer, second wicketkeeper's spot

 

There seems to be uncertainty over the middle-order slots, with Gautam Gambhir having confirmed that he will continue to favour a left-right combination

India have evolved from a top-order heavy line-up, as seen during the build-up to the 2017 Champions Trophy or the 2019 World Cup, to having more forces in the middle order. If the recently-concluded England ODI series have produced any positive for India, it has been their middle order, led by a consistent Shreyas Iyer. However, there seems to be uncertainty over the middle-order slots, with head coach Gautam Gambhir having confirmed that he will continue to favour a left-right combination in the line-up, implying no fixed positions in the line-up.

 

Indian men's cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir and BCCI Chief selector Ajit Agarkar during a press conference (PTI)

 

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.

[Adamant]

So it is Gambhir who wants Rahul over Pant, this shows that he is supporting mediocrity and hasn't yet understood that Rahul doesn't win us important matches.

[vvvslaxman]

What did KL Rahul deliver.  Did he even look at KL Rahul's strike rate in ICC events against non minnows? It is pitiful.

[Number]

1 hour ago, vvvslaxman said:

What did KL Rahul deliver.  Did he even look at KL Rahul's strike rate in ICC events against non minnows? It is pitiful.

He statpads his s/r against minnows quite well.

 

Another thing to keep in mind his keeping in the finals was horrendous, everytime we looked to build some pressure he gave byes. 

Edited February 17, 2025 by Number

[rollingstoned]

3 hours ago, vvvslaxman said:

What did KL Rahul deliver.  Did he even look at KL Rahul's strike rate in ICC events against non minnows? It is pitiful.

Yea I was wondering how his odi avg is 47-48 even tho nowadays it doesn't mean much coz statpadding in odis is easy. 

[Number]

BTW I never heard Agarkar saying Pant is first choice WK.

In fact Pant was among the last 4 names Agarkar and Rohit took in the pc which indicates he was a reserve wk in their plans.

So that part is complete bs.

Pant is out of favour from both selector+captain duo and coach as well, which is sad.

Edited February 17, 2025 by Number

[Lord]

Just now, Number said:

BTW I never heard Agarkar saying Pant is first choice WK. This is complete bollocks.

Pant is out of favour from both selector+captain duo and coach as well, which is sad.

When did he talk about any player. Pant being in squad is proof enough

[Number]

1 hour ago, Lord said:

When did he talk about any player. Pant being in squad is proof enough

I am talking about this part in the article which is false.

14 hours ago, rollingstoned said:

Selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar, while announcing the Champions Trophy squad, had claimed Pant was the first-choice wicketkeeper.

 

[Zero_Unit]

If GG could, he would chose himself in the playing XI. When will the pain end with this midget ... 

[Chakdephatte]

What is the debate over Iyer? Is it Iyer vs. Pant? And why? Amazing series performance and he averages 48 so far. Had amazing world cup. 

[bowl_out]

1 hour ago, Chakdephatte said:

What is the debate over Iyer? Is it Iyer vs. Pant? And why? Amazing series performance and he averages 48 so far. Had amazing world cup. 

Probably Iyer vs Jaiswal?

[tapandrun]

So they both are on same page whn it comes to t20i team and differs when it comes to odi and test ??

 

The strange thing here is 2nd wkt keeper, thought who plays in 11 is aways captain and coaches decision and both gg and agarkar are not oppose of having pant in 15.

All this news leaking as soon as gg joined looks suspicious, who is leaking them   

[bowl_out]

 

Indian keeper expresses unhappiness with Gambhir not picking him in the XI. 

Pant?

 

https://crictoday.com/cricket/daily-cricket-news/all-is-not-well-in-team-india-as-big-player-hits-out-at-gautam-gambhir-for-dropping-him-from-playing-xi-in-champions-trophy-report/

 

[jf1gp_1]

I find this no more than a masala report and even if correct agarkar has no business deciding playing XI

[putrevus]

When did KL Rahul do anything good.

[jf1gp_1]

2 hours ago, putrevus said:

When did KL Rahul do anything good.

Wasn't part of last t20 wc campaign 

[rollingstoned]

3 hours ago, putrevus said:

When did KL Rahul do anything good.

Seniority and seeing his impressive avg. I don't for some reason remember one memorable knock from him in odis. And no, don't say the final lol. Maybe one of those chases in 2018 asia cup where we vhadwd against Pakistan and he opened with Rayudu. 

[putrevus]

1 minute ago, rollingstoned said:

Seniority and seeing his impressive avg. I don't for some reason remember one memorable knock from him in odis. And no, don't say the final lol. Maybe one of those chases in 2018 asia cup where we vhadwd against Pakistan and he opened with Rayudu. 

 He is as useless as they come.He was the most important reason for two world t20 exits and one fifty over world cup.

 

I thought he was history after 2024 but he somehow is back.

[jf1gp_1]

Not watching game. Is NZ bowling well or pak batting like crap ?

[coffee_rules]

On 2/16/2025 at 2:36 PM, rollingstoned said:

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.

KL certainly has some tapes of Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir.