Former captain picks India's playing XI ahead of Champions Trophy, leaves out Rishabh Pant

India are all set to begin their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai from February 20. The squad for the mega tournament has been announced. Earlier, former England captain Kevin Pietersen has picked India's playing XI.

Kevin has placed Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and KL Rahul at number three, fourth and fifth respectively.

Kevin Pietersen picked India's playing XI ahead of Champions Trophy

Kevin Pietersen said that even though Varun Chakraborty has been good, Kuldeep Yadav has done better in ODIs in recent times. He has also picked Arshdeep Singh over Harshit Rana. I think the performances that Kuldeep has put up and the figures he has made. He has been very good." Kevin further said, "I like left-arm fast bowlers, so Arshdeep starts for me.

You have three fast bowlers there. Shami, Arshdeep and Hardik. Then you have Jadeja, who is always my first choice. So Jadeja and the rest, Kuldeep, Axar." Kevin has kept Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill for opening.

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At the same time, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and KL Rahul have been placed at number three, fourth and fifth respectively. India has kept KL Rahul as the first-choice wicketkeeper in place of Rishabh Pant in the playing XI for the ODI series against England. However, his batting position has not been consistent. He came down to Axar Patel at number 6 in the first two ODIs, while he came at number 5 in the last match. Kevin Pietersen believes that Rahul should come at number 5 because he should face as many balls as he can get.

Indian team's playing XI according to Pieterson: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh