Ahmedabad: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has dismissed speculation that Shreyas Iyer was being sidelined from the ODI squad, affirming that the in-form batsman was always part of the team’s plans and remains a key player for the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Iyer showcased his consistency during India’s dominant 3-0 ODI series win against England, playing crucial knocks in all three matches. He started with a counter-attacking 36-ball 59 in the opening game when India was struggling at 19/2 while chasing 249 in Nagpur. He followed it up with scores of 44 and 78 in the next two matches, proving his worth in the middle order.

Speculation arose after Iyer’s comments following the first ODI, where he stated that he got into the playing XI only because Virat Kohli had to sit out due to a sore knee. This fueled rumors that he would be benched once Kohli returned.

However, Gambhir has put all doubts to rest, emphasizing that Iyer is a vital part of India’s ODI setup. “He was always in the scheme of things and will play an important role in the Champions Trophy,” Gambhir asserted.

With his impressive performances, Iyer has reinforced his position in India’s middle order, making a strong case for his inclusion in major tournaments ahead.