Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said KL Rahul's "fantastic numbers" in ODIs might have tilted the scale in favour of him ahead of Rishabh Pant in the ongoing Champions Trophy. India head coach Gautam Gambhir had marked Rahul as the first-choice wicketkeeper batter of the side for the ICC marquee event as Pant remained on the benches.

"India are such a strong side, especially in batting. Pant is very good. But Rahul has fantastic numbers in ODIs. So, I think that's the reason Gautam Gambhir has backed Rahul," Ganguly said after he was announced as the brand ambassador of Vura, a construction chemical brand. "There's very little to choose between them (Rahul and Pant) because both are exceptional," he added.