(Image source from: Twitter)

The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad for India has some debated positions, particularly the wicket-keeper batter role. While KL Rahul has been the established choice in ODIs, Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson are also strong contenders. Former cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar have excluded Pant from their 15-player squad, citing his long absence from ODI cricket and lack of consistent form in the format, despite his recent success in T20Is and Tests. Bangar believes Rahul should be the primary wicket-keeper, while Manjrekar favors Samson as the backup option over Pant.

Initially, Pant may not be the best fit as a lower-order batter, but if India needs a powerful hitter for the final 10 overs, Manjrekar agrees with Sanjay Bangar's assessment of Pant. Pant played in only one of the three ODI matches against Sri Lanka, batting at number four, but he failed to make an impact, scoring just six runs off nine balls. On the other hand, Samson hasn't helped his case either, as despite his impressive performances in T20Is, he was excluded from Kerala's squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's domestic 50-over tournament, because he didn't attend a camp with the team.