Selection Dispute: Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar Reportedly Clash Over Pant and Iyer’s Inclusion in Champions Trophy Squad

Team India’s dominant 3-0 ODI series victory over England has bolstered confidence ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s return to form providing further stability at the top of the order. However, amidst the celebrations, concerns over India’s middle order persist, reportedly causing a rift between head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar regarding the selection of Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer.

According to sources, Gambhir and Agarkar hold differing views on the composition of India’s middle order, leading to a heated discussion within the team management. The debate underscores a larger concern regarding squad balance, particularly in high-pressure tournaments like the Champions Trophy.

The Selection Dilemma: Gambhir vs. Agarkar

The primary point of contention appears to be whether both Pant and Iyer should be included in India’s final squad for the Champions Trophy.

1. Rishabh Pant’s Case: A Risk or a Necessity?

Pant, who has been recovering from a prolonged injury, has shown glimpses of his former brilliance since returning to competitive cricket. His explosive batting, match-winning ability, and left-handed presence in the middle order make him a compelling option. However, concerns persist regarding:

• His fitness and ability to handle high-intensity tournaments
• Whether he can seamlessly reintegrate into the team’s ODI setup
• The risk of sidelining a more consistent player in favor of an X-factor option

Reports suggest that Gautam Gambhir strongly backs Pant’s inclusion, believing that his aggressive batting and ability to accelerate in the middle overs make him indispensable in knockout tournaments.

Conversely, Ajit Agarkar is reportedly more cautious, favoring a more stabilized and proven middle-order combination. Agarkar is believed to be wary of rushing Pant back into high-pressure games, especially when other wicketkeeping options like KL Rahul are available.

2. Shreyas Iyer’s Case: A Middle-Order Mainstay or a Risky Bet?

Shreyas Iyer has been a consistent performer in India’s ODI setup, proving to be an anchor in the middle order with his ability to rotate strike and accelerate when needed. However, injuries and fluctuations in form have cast doubt over his reliability for a marquee tournament like the Champions Trophy.

• Iyer’s ability to handle spin well makes him a crucial asset on slow, turning pitches, a key factor in subcontinental conditions.
• However, his recent injury concerns have raised doubts about his durability over a long tournament.

Ajit Agarkar reportedly favors Iyer’s selection, seeing him as a technically sound middle-order batter who can provide stability.

Gambhir, on the other hand, is believed to be skeptical about Iyer’s fitness and ability to deliver under pressure in crucial games, questioning whether he should be preferred over more aggressive, impact players like Pant.

Implications for India’s Middle Order in the Champions Trophy

With a crowded middle-order featuring KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and potentially Pant and Iyer, the final squad selection will be a balancing act. The dispute between Gambhir and Agarkar reflects broader concerns about India’s ideal team composition.

Potential scenarios for India’s middle order:

1. If Pant is included, KL Rahul may be moved to No. 5 to provide stability, leaving Iyer or Suryakumar Yadav battling for a spot.
2. If Iyer is prioritized, Pant’s chances may diminish, leading to KL Rahul retaining the primary wicketkeeper role and India going for a more traditional middle-order structure.
3. A combination of both Pant and Iyer could see a more fluid batting lineup, but this might come at the cost of a specialist bowler or all-rounder.