Gambhir, Agarkar clash over Iyer's position in CT team: Report
What's the story
The Indian cricket team is in a fix over the middle-order slots.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir has shown his inclination toward a left-right combination in the line-up, with no set slots.
The strategy is a departure from India's top-order heavy approach during the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2019 World Cup build-ups.
The recent England ODI series emphasized India's bolstered middle order, spearheaded by Shreyas Iyer.
Stellar contribution
Iyer's performance boosts India's middle order
In the recent series against England, India's middle order trumped their opponents.
The players in the number four to seven positions scored a total of 375 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 116.42, including three half-centuries.
They bettered England's middle order who scored just 278 runs at an average of 23.16 with two fifties.
Shreyas Iyer was the top run-scorer from the middle order with two fifties adding to his 181 runs at an average of 60.33.
Selection dispute
Controversy surrounds Iyer's retention and wicketkeeper selection
Despite Iyer's performance, his retention led to a "heated" selection meeting according to The Times of India.
The report also highlighted a disagreement between Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar over the second wicketkeeper's choice.
Agarkar had earlier announced Rishabh Pant as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the ICC tournament and England ODIs.
However, both Gambhir and team captain Rohit Sharma preferred KL Rahul who played all three games against England.
Final decision
Gambhir confirms Rahul as 1st-choice wicketkeeper
In a press conference ahead of India's departure for the Champions Trophy, Gambhir confirmed Rahul as the first-choice wicketkeeper over Pant.
He said, "Ultimately, it's very difficult to talk about individuals, but all I can say is that if Pant is a part of the squad, he will get an opportunity."
He added that "at the moment obviously, KL is our number one wicketkeeper and he's delivered for us."