Gautam Gambhir vs Ajit Agarkar! Massive fight between duo unfolds over Shreyas Iyer's selection for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
In what has been the latest development, as per the reports in Times of India, it is learned that there was a heated debate between head coach Gautam Gambhir and Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar during the squad selection for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. And this, particularly was over Shreyas Iyer's place.
The reports claimed that head coach Gautam Gambhir wasn't in favour of Shreyas Iyer getting picked in the Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The coach wanted to have a left-right combination in the XI, and hence, in that matter, Iyer didn't fit in the team.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, on the other hand, wanted Shreyas Iyer in the team. The head coach and Agarkar were involved in a heated debate over the same, but ultimately, the right-hander got selected and proved his worth in the England series.
Shreyas Iyer originally wasn't slated to play the first game. He accidentally leaked the team's plan and revealed that he got an opportunity to play because Virat Kohli got injured. The batter, however, cashed in an opportunity and slammed a magnificent half-century in that game, ending the series with two fifties to lock his place.
The other debate in which Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar were involved was over the first-choice keeper-batter in the team. The selectors wanted Rishabh Pant to play ahead of KL Rahul, and the head selector even confirmed that they see Pant as the first choice.
However, Gautam Gambhir gave KL Rahul a nod ahead as Rishabh Pant warmed the bench in all three games of the series against England. Even after that series, the head coach mentioned that they were looking at Rahul as the first-choice keeper in the team.
There had been heated debate in the selection meeting around retaining Shreyas Iyer in the team - Source close to BCCI
The source close to developments confirmed the same and stated:
"Selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar, while announcing the Champions Trophy squad, had claimed Pant was the first-choice wicketkeeper. As it turned out, Pant is the only player in the squad who didn't get a game in the three ODIs in the England series.
"Sources indicated that there had been heated debate in the selection meeting around retaining Shreyas Iyer in the team and over the second wicketkeeper's slot"
It remains to be seen what will be the combination that Gautam Gambhir opt for in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The reports also stated that even after scoring, Shreyas Iyer's place in the team is uncertain, as the head coach mentioned that there will be no fixed positions in the line-up.