India will kick off their 2025 ICC Champions Trophy campaign on Thursday, February 20, against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was not included in the playing XI for the match.
Rishabh Pant is absent from today’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match against Bangladesh due to a knee injury sustained during a training session on February 16, 2025. During the session, a powerful shot from Hardik Pandya struck Pant’s left knee, causing him significant discomfort.
Although he resumed training shortly after the incident, he was later observed limping and opted to skip wicketkeeping practice, indicating persistent discomfort. Consequently, the team management has chosen to rest him for today’s match, with KL Rahul taking on the wicketkeeping duties.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed KL Rahul as India‘s preferred ODI wicketkeeper, keeping Rishabh Pant out. Rahul excelled in the 2023 World Cup, scoring 452 runs at an average of 75.33 and a strike rate of 90.76.
Following his stellar performance in a challenging role, KL Rahul edged out Rishabh Pant as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the Champions Trophy. With intense competition for spots, Pant will have to wait for his opportunity.
“We’re Ready for Any Challenge” – Rohit Sharma after IND vs BAN toss
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and chose to bat first on Thursday. After the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma shared his thoughts (via Cricbuzz):
“I would have fielded first. We have played a few years back here so we felt ball comes on better under lights. All looking good. Everyone is fit and fine to go. Let’s hope we start well.”
“There is no looking back, every game become important in this tournament. From the last ODI that we played, Varun Chakravarthy misses out. Ravindra Jadeja comes in for him. Arshdeep Singh makes way for (Mohammad) Shami.”
India’s lineup for their Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh is as follows:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav.
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