India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s hopes of making it into the ODI playing XI may have taken a massive blow with head coach Gautam Gambhir confirming that KL Rahul would be his first-choice gloveman as they head into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

It is worth mentioning here that among all the players that feature in the squad, only Pant didn’t get a single game in the just-concluded ODI series against India.

Rahul struggled in the first two ODIs when he played at No. 6 with Axar Patel being promoted higher up the order. But since playing at his designated number five position, the Karnataka star put in a solid effort, scoring 40 off 29 balls during the third ODI against England in Ahmedabad.

“KL is our No. 1 wicketkeeper and this is what I can say at the moment. Rishabh Pant will get his chance but at the moment it is KL who has done well and we cannot play two wicketkeeper-batters," Gambhir told media at the series-ending press conference on February 12, as quoted by PTI.

Gambhir was also asked about the decision to push Axar up instead of Rahul, who has better stats at No. 5. He replied by saying that it is a team-first approach focused on who can produce the best results.

“We don’t look at averages and stats. We look at who can deliver when," the coach remarked.

Gambhir further stated that the side needed an additional wicket-taking option which resulted in young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal being axed from the Champions Trophy squad. He also mentioned that Jaiswal had a long career ahead of him and would have more chances in the near future.

“The only reason was we wanted a wicket-taking option and we know Varun Chakravarthy can be that option. Yashasvi Jaiswal has a long future ahead and we can only play 15," Gambhir said.

Commenting on Jasprit Bumrah's back injury and subsequent withdrawal from the Champions Trophy squad, Gautam Gambhir maintained a reserved stance.

"Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out. I cannot give details because the medical team decides in NCA and they will give (the updates)."

The coach addressed concerns about Shubman Gill's performance across different formats. Despite Gill's impressive ODI series with two fifties and a century on batting-friendly pitches, he had struggled on the challenging Australian tracks.

"Problem is we keep judging people after every innings. Shubman Gill is young. Test cricket is tough and going forward he can deliver in that format."