Within the midst of India‘s marketing campaign within the Champions Trophy 2025, a key choice debate has gripped cricket followers: why is head coach Gautam Gambhir favoring KL Rahul over the dynamic Rishabh Pant because the crew’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs?
Notably, Rahul dropped a catch and missed a stumping in India’s opening sport on the international occasion in opposition to Bangladesh, which led to many followers questioning his place and questioning why Pant is just not getting desire over Rahul.
Talking about the identical, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has stepped in to offer readability and revealed why precisely the Indian head coach Gambhir is selecting Rahul over Pant in India’s enjoying XI within the Champions Trophy 2025.
Sourav Ganguly evaluation cause behind KL Rahul’s choice over Rishabh Pant
Ganguly minced no phrases when explaining the rationale behind Gambhir’s desire. The previous India skipper reckoned Rahul has a lot better numbers as a batter in ODIs in comparison with Pant and that’s the explanation why Gambhir goes after Rahul as first alternative wicket-keeper.
“India are such a powerful aspect, particularly in batting. Pant is excellent. However Rahul has improbable numbers in ODIs. So, I believe that’s the explanation Gautam Gambhir has backed Rahul,” stated Ganguly as quoted by PTI.
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Numbers of Rahul and Pant in ODIs
The numbers certainly inform a narrative of consistency and excellence. Rahul, with 81 ODIs underneath his belt, has amassed 2,944 runs at a median of 48.26, boasting a strike charge of 87.74. His report consists of seven centuries and 18 fifties, showcasing his potential to anchor innings and speed up when wanted.
Evaluate this to Pant’s ODI tally: in 31 matches, he has scored 871 runs at a median of 33.50 and a strike charge of 106.2, with one century and 5 fifties. Whereas Pant’s aggressive method and aptitude are simple, Rahul’s superior common and larger quantity of runs spotlight his reliability—attributes that appear to resonate with Gambhir’s imaginative and prescient for the crew within the ongoing Champions Trophy. Ganguly’s endorsement of Rahul’s stats means that Gambhir is prioritizing a confirmed performer in a format the place consistency can typically trump explosiveness.