After the Test tour of Australia, Team India’s next big assignment is the ICC Champions Trophy, slated to be held in Pakistan and UAE from February 19 to March 9.

With nearly a month remaining for the marquee event, former cricketers, experts and fans have started naming their preferred Indian squads.

While most of the players in the squad will pick themselves on their own, some crucial spots continue to divide opinion. One of the debatable positions is of the wicketkeeper-batter, with three top names competing for the role.

KL Rahul has been the established wicketkeeper-batter in the 50-over format for quite some time, whereas Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson are also in the scheme of things.

Amid the debate, former Indian cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar have left out Pant from their 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy.

"Pant was away from cricket for a long time. He did make a good return in T20Is and Test, but he never had that good form in ODI cricket. KL Rahul should be your first-choice keeper," said Bangar while speaking on Star Sports.

On the other hand, Manjrekar advocated for the inclusion of Sanju Samson over Rishabh Pant as India's back-up wicketkeeper for the Champions Trophy.

"I have been a good believer in Samson. Yes he wasn't scoring runs initially and maybe he isn't a fit down the order. But if India want a big hitter for the last 10 overs, and I agree with Sanjay Bangar on Pant," Manjrekar stated.

Rishabh Pant has represented India in 31 ODIs so far, scoring 871 runs at an average of 33.50, including one hundred and five half-centuries.

Sanju Samson’s ODI stats are much impressive in limited opportunities. The Kerala batter has amassed 510 runs in 16 matches at 56.66 with one century and three fifties.

India will begin their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.