KL Rahul's shock absence and how the fight to get into India's squad will be intense during the Champions Trophy

The buildup to the biggest Champions Trophy of India cricket has all things abuzz-15-man provision squad, where there are just so many to choose from as the national selection committee holds their selection meeting the day after Vijay Hazare Trophy final slated for January 19. Among the hot topics of discussion will be the second wicketkeeper and the wrist spinner's backup, especially in the wake of Kuldeep Yadav's fitness issues.

KL Rahul, who doubled up as the wicketkeeper in ODI World Cup, is unlikely to continue with his role for white-ball format anymore. Although, his behind the stumps offered a well-rounded team to Indians; Rahul is to be exclusively given a bat ahead. This door opens up opportunities for Dhruv Jurel, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson for this second wicketkeeper's role that becomes a three-cornered contest for the second keeper's position.

Presently, Jurel is a favorite for the second keeper's slot. He has played for the Indian T20 side, where he was an understudy to Samson. His T20I debut for India, too, was made in Zimbabwe. That performance prompted the selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, to keep him in the whites-ball team's future plans. This has led to speculations that Jurel may eventually become the second choice behind Rishabh Pant, India's first choice for both Tests and ODIs.

Consistency in domestic cricket, especially in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, has strengthened Jurel's claims further. The player has the capability to deliver both with the bat and behind the stumps, thus giving him the stature of being a good back-up option for India's future ventures. Consequently, he will be the reserve wicketkeeper for the Indian team in both the long-format and limited-over versions soon.

The fight for the second keeper's position, however, certainly does not lack takers. Sanju Samson is a seasoned T20 player, and his opportunities to be a part of the Champions Trophy team seem to have taken a back seat after he decided to give the Vijay Hazare Trophy a skip. Even though he had some successive great 2024 finishes with three centuries in the T20 format, his lack of participation in domestic cricket has not gone well with the selection committee. In contrast, Ishan Kishan, despite being a part of the World Cup squad, has not been in peak form. His performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was modest, with just 316 runs from seven matches, and his decision to skip domestic cricket last year cost him a spot in the BCCI’s annual central contracts. This has resulted in his losing favor, making it less likely that he will be considered for the Champions Trophy squad, especially with Jurel gaining more prominence.

Meanwhile, the debate has even started on an alternative wrist spinner to Kuldeep Yadav, as he is undergoing a fitness test. Yadav will be crucial to India's determination of its spin department, but if he fails to be totally fit, Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi have emerged.

Varun Chakravarthy of Tamil Nadu has been incredible in the domestic season, having taken 18 wickets in six matches while maintaining an economy of 4.36. Still, there are questions over how he performs in international conditions. Varun Chakravarthy is prone to lose his control upon flat decks, much like the ones in Dubai. Secondly, his fielding is considered a liability of sorts in international arenas where agility and accuracy will be called for.

On the other hand, Ravi Bishnoi from Gujarat has also been outstanding and has taken 14 wickets in six matches. Bishnoi is a googly bowler with a controlled economy rate of 3.64, and his sharp fielding has made him an excellent contender. His performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he showed all-around skills, have only further cemented his position as a viable backup for Kuldeep. Bishnoi's impressive catching skills and a strong arm make him a versatile player who can effortlessly cope with the pressure of the fast-moving international arena.

While Chakravarthy has been impressive with his spin bowling in the T20 format, Bishnoi's all-around talent, combined with his ability to bowl well in pressure situations, will make him one of the better options for India's World Cup preparation process.

As the selection committee is all set to finalize the squad for the Champions Trophy, fringe players Jurel, Kishan, Samson, Chakravarthy, and Bishnoi will be closely watched over the performances of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Their domestic records, fitness levels, and adaptability to international conditions would determine their chances in the final squad. The outcome of the selection process will not only have an impact on the Champions Trophy but also on India's future strategies in the upcoming international cricketing events.