Why is Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir biased against Rishabh Pant? | Opinion

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Now that the dust and grime has settled over an inconsequential ODI series against England, India are being spoke of as favorites or front-runners to win the Champions Trophy.

Hang on, beating a side like England is the easiest, given their pathetic standards this time. They showed zero intent, almost appearing as if they came to India for the ODIs with no interest whatsoever.

Almost everyone in Team India got a chance, with batters who were not in form also playing themselves into form. It was important for Shreyas Iyer to stamp his class at the No.4 position in ODIs, even as Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have also scored runs.

The mystery, so to say, is how coach Gautam Gambhir has preferred KL Rahul over Rishabh Pant as wicket-keeper. Anyone who knows Gambhir will vouch his philosophy is "my way or highway."

In this, the way Rishabh Pant has been made to feel an outcast. Even after the final ODI, where KL Rahul scored few runs, Gambhir said "KL is first choice" when you have two wicket-keepers.

For those who believe the left/right combination stuff in the batting order in the middle and more such jargon works in the Gambhir scheme of things, to ignore Pant smacks of bias. Old-timers who have followed Delhi cricket say that Pant is not the favourite of Gambhir.

The point is, does someone need to be a favorite or find a place in the 11 not on merit. Use any yardstick, Pant is a far superior wicket-keeper batter than KL Rahul in any format. If it is the T20, then Pant got picked for a massive sum by Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL auction. And he will lead the Lucknow side in IPL 2025. This is the same side from where Rahul ran away.

It was understandable to not play Pant in the T20 internationals against England. He needed rest after the BGT series against Australia, though he was forced to play one Ranji Trophy match for Delhi.

Any day, Pant is a gamechanger and people have been watching quietly KL Rahul in the three ODIs. This is now a direct comment on Pant's performance that "KL is first choice." How is he first choice, Gambhir cannot explain. He cannot make a sweeping statement and get away. Is there nobody to question this coach who is so drunk on power?

Fact is, Pant commands massive respect from one and all. He has kept quiet. Everyone knows, as a batter, he is a class act and can hammer the opposition in any form of cricket. If the English side which came to India and "gave practice" then they are not the best to determine if India gained. This was more like a club side or an England A team which came and played matches.

The intensity in the Champions Trophy will be higher. To think KL Rahul will be better under higher pressure matches in comparison to Pant is laughable. One saw in the BGT series finale, how Pant batted as well. As a wicket-keeper and someone who keeps engaging with the bowlers and captain, Pant's enthusiasm is infectious.

Some people say, Gambhir does not like Pant from the old Delhi cricket days. Gambhir has lent more credence to it. What was a purported rumour is now being established as a fact by coach Gambhir that he does not like Rishabh Pant. How can this happen is a crazy mystery.

Ask any fan or expert, or put it to vote, Pant is better than KL Rahul, be it as a keeper or batter. Or, will Gambhir spring a surprise and play Pant in Dubai. To not have been given even one match in the ODI series reeks of bias.