As the cricketing world eagerly anticipates the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India stand at a crucial juncture, poised to field a squad capable of making a lasting impact. Known for their stellar record in ICC tournaments, India have often been a dominant force in global cricket. Memories of the 2013 Champions Trophy triumph, where India lifted the trophy under MS Dhoni’s leadership, still resonate with fans, serving as a reminder of their potential on the big stage.

The upcoming edition of the tournament, to be hosted across Pakistan and the UAE, presents India with a golden opportunity to reclaim their place at the pinnacle of ODI cricket. With the sting of their near-miss at the 2017 Champions Trophy and 2023 ODI World Cup still fresh, this is a chance for redemption and a moment to reaffirm their status as one of the world’s cricketing powerhouses. The team’s performance will not only be a testament to their preparation but also a reflection of their hunger to achieve glory once again.

The wicketkeeper conundrum for India

The selection for the Indian squad, particularly for the wicketkeeper’s spot, has stirred considerable debate among fans and experts alike. The crux of the discussion revolves around three key players: Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant. Each brings a unique set of skills and has a different impact on the team’s composition:

India’s strategy often involves balancing the batting lineup with players who can adapt to various positions. The choice of wicketkeeper significantly influences this balance, especially with the availability of versatile players like Hardik Pandya who can bat lower down the order.

While all three are competent, Rahul has shown remarkable improvement behind the stumps, particularly in the 2023 World Cup. But at the same time, Pant’s agility and Samson’s reliable glove work in T20s also come into the picture.

Also READ: Navjot Singh Sidhu picks India’s bowling lineup for the Champions Trophy 2025

Batting Impact: Here’s where the real debate lies

Rahul has been an ODI stalwart, especially in the middle order, where he can anchor innings or accelerate as needed. His experience and performance in high-pressure games, like the 2023 World Cup, make him a prime candidate.

Pant is known for his explosive batting, providing the team with a dynamic left-handed option in the middle order. His return from injury and performance during the T20 World Cup 2024 has been watched closely for his potential impact in ODIs.

Meanwhile, Samson has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in shorter formats, with an ability to score quickly and change game dynamics with big hits. However, his consistency in ODIs has been less tested.

ODI stats and impact analysis

KL Rahul

• Matches: 77
• Runs: 2,851
• Average: 49.15
• Strike Rate: 87.56
• 50s/100s: 18/7

Impact: Rahul’s experience and ability to perform under pressure make him a go-to choice for stability in the middle order. His dual role as keeper and batter adds depth to the team.

Rishabh Pant

• Matches: 31
• Runs: 871
• Average: 33.50
• Strike Rate: 106.21
• 50s/100s: 5/1

Impact: Pant’s aggressive style can be a game-changer. His boundary percentage and strike rate reflect his ability to score quickly, adding an element of unpredictability to the batting lineup. However, his ODI consistency is under scrutiny.

Sanju Samson

• Matches: 16
• Runs: 510
• Average: 56.66
• Strike Rate: 99.60
• 50s/100s: 3/1

Impact: Samson’s recent T20I performances have put him in the limelight, but his ODI record, though promising, lacks the volume to conclusively gauge his impact. His selection would be based more on potential and current form. However, among the three batters, Samson has the best average in ODIs.

Who should be picked?

Given the data and current discussions, Rahul emerges as a likely first-choice due to his experience and consistent performances in ODIs. His selection ensures a solid and flexible batting order with the added advantage of wicketkeeping.

Pant should be included for his X-factor. His ability to change the game’s tempo with his left-handed batting is invaluable, particularly in the context of having a balanced lineup that can counter various bowling attacks.

Similarly, Samson could be a strategic pick as a backup, leveraging his form and potential to disrupt opposition plans. However, his selection might hinge on whether the team opts for another specialist keeper or trusts their existing options for depth.

Also READ: Harsha Bhogle picks his India squad for the Champions Trophy 2025; no place for Jasprit Bumrah

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The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals (RR) has finally released Australian superstar Steve Smith from their squad ahead of the 2021 auction. After his removal, Sanju Samson has been named captain of the side.

“His [Smith] contract expired in 2020 and we have decided not to renew it. Steve has had a huge contribution but we had to take a call after much deliberation,” an RR official told Star Sports India.

Smith, who took charge from Ajinkya Rahane in the middle of the 2019 IPL edition, failed to live up to the expectations of fans and the Rajasthan-based franchise and scored just 311 runs from 14 games in the last season as the inaugural season winner finished eighth.

On the other hand, Samson was Royals’ top performer with the bat as he scored 375 runs from 14 innings at an average of 28.84. The young wicketkeeper-batsman struck three half-centuries with a high score of 85.

With the ball, Jofra Archer was their leading star, taking 20 wickets from 14 matches at 18.25. His best figures in a match were 3/19 and was also chosen as the most valuable player of the season.

Here’s the full list of retained and released players list of Rajasthan Royals:

Released players:

Steve Smith, Ankit Rajpoot, Oshane Thomas, Akash Singh, Varun Aaron, Tom Curran, Anirudha Joshi, Shashank Singh

Retained players:

Sanju Samson (c), Manan Vohra, David Miller, Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Robin Uthappa, Anuj Rawat, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tewatia, Mahipal Lomror, Riyan Parag, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat, Karik Tyagi, Shreyas Gopal, Mayank Markande, Andrew Tye.

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