Champions Trophy 2025: Fresh trouble in Indian camp as star cricketer reportedly slams Gambhir for leaving him out of XI

India are set to begin their campaign in the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy on Thursday when they face Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. However, if the latest reports are anything to do by, then things aren’t exactly in an ideal state as far as the atmosphere in the Indian dressing room is concerned ahead of the big match.

Also Read | Fans troll Gautam Gambhir over cryptic post ahead of Champions Trophy opener in Dubai

According to Times Now, an active Indian wicketkeeper-batter is frustrated with head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the Men in Blue’s Champions Trophy opener. The concerned keeper-batter is also miffed with ‘GG’ as he believes he has been left out of the playing XI due to external factors, and not because of his current form.

More from First Cricket News

Champions Trophy 2025: Fans troll Gautam Gambhir over cryptic post ahead of tournament opener in Dubai Gambhir and Team India selectors had 'heated discussion' over Shreyas Iyer, second wicket-keeper's spot: Report

Rishabh Pant the player unhappy with Gautam Gambhir?

Though the report did not mention any names, it certainly does hint at Rishabh Pant being the senior player unhappy with Gambhir and his selection policies. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee had included both Rahul and Pant in the squad for the recently-concluded ODI series against England as well as the Champions Trophy.

However, Rahul had kept wickets in the England one-dayers and captain Rohit Sharma has indicated that he will continue to don that role, at Pant’s expense, in the ‘Mini World Cup’.

Quick Reads

View All

'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new report

PCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversy

Also Read | Rishabh Pant faces injury scare at India's first Champions Trophy practice session

Pant was once an indispensable part of the Indian playing XI across formats, succeeding MS Dhoni as the preferred wicketkeeper-batter across formats after the latter retired from international cricket in 2019. As a result of his rise, KL Rahul largely played purely as a batter despite being an able stumper.

Rahul, however, had filled in as the wicket-keeper in Pant’s absence after the latter had met with an accident in December 2022 that forced him to remain sidelined for more than a year.

And though the selectors have continued to stick with Pant as the first-choice keeper for Tests and have leaned towards Sanju Samson in the shortest format, Rahul has managed to keep himself ahead in the pecking order in the 50-over game thanks to his heroics in the 2023 ICC World Cup at home — which he scored 452 runs at an average of 75.33 and was also the second-most successful keeper (17 dismissals).