Rishabh Pant escapes Champions Trophy danger after accidentally struck by Hardik Pandya's shot.

During India's first training session for the Champions Trophy in Dubai, Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer displayed their aggressive batting skills by hitting the spinners out of the park without any pity. In contrast to Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma, who focused on refining their techniques against the challenges posed by Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami, Pandya and Iyer seemed unstoppable as they effortlessly dispatched deliveries over the boundary with ease.

One of Pandya's powerful shots struck Rishabh Pant on his knee in a freakish accident. Team physio Kamlesh Jain immediately attended to him as a concerned Hardik came out of the nets to check on his colleague. Although the incident sparked concerns about Pant's participation in the Champions Trophy, thankfully, it wasn't serious. After a while, the wicketkeeper-batter padded up in an encouraging sight. He was seen with his helmet on in a 'highlights' video uploaded by the BCCI, further confirming his fitness.

Rishabh Pant is India's second-choice wicketkeeper

Although BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed last month during a press conference in Mumbai that Pant would be India's first-choice wicketkeeper for the England ODI series and the Champions Trophy, captain Rohit and head coach Gautam Gambhir backed KL Rahul for the role as they wanted "continuity." Hence, Rahul, who was one of the stars in India's run to the 2023 World Cup final, played all three matches against England in the recently-concluded home series.

Although India's strategy was criticised, with former head coach Ravi Shastri calling for Pant's inclusion amid Rahul's struggles in the first two games against Jos Buttler's men, the latter eventually sealed his spot with a helpful 29-ball 40 in the dead rubber.

After the end of the series, Gambhir said: "KL is our No. 1 wicketkeeper, and this is what I can say at the moment. Rishabh Pant will get his chance, but at the moment, it is KL who has done well, and we cannot play two wicketkeeper-batters."

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