Since the 2023 ODI World Cup, the ODI team of India is undoubtedly having a set middle order, having Shreyas Iyer as a consistent run-getter for the team. However, a long hour discussion before addressing the media sparked various debates, one of which was the head coach Gautam Gambhir's excessive obsession with the "left-right batting combination," which had almost got Shreyas on the brink of getting dropped from the 15-man squad. In a recent report from the Times of India, it has been stated that there were some heated exchanges on retaining Iyer in the squad! Shreyas Iyer, the man with more than 500 runs in the ODI World Cup with consistent back strain, was often behind the line, having the greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma performing consistently in the tournament. However, Iyer, following a dropped match in the India vs England home Test series in early 2024, got himself scratched out from the BCCI Central Contract after a denial in a single Ranji Trophy match. February 6, the first ODI in the three-match home series against England at Nagpur, was Shreyas' first international outing after a year-long domestic show. Notably, Iyer wasn't the first choice. Trying not to say more, Iyer confirmed in a candid conversation with the presenters that he was a mere substitute for injured Virat Kohli. But the man scored 59 runs in that match to draw dilemmas if he can actually be benched, especially having the top order struggling or probably scoring once in a full moon! India’s middle order (No. 4-7) outshone England, scoring 375 runs at a strike rate of 116.42 with three fifties in three innings, while England’s six players in those spots managed 278 runs at 23.16 with two fifties. Iyer led the charts with 181 runs at 60.33, despite India initially considering dropping him for a left-right top-order balance. And there comes the TOI report suggesting a "heated" selection debate over his retention. Read also: Rohit Sharma tensed at bus door—Did he forget again? KL Rahul over Rishabh Pant controversy In the first two ODIs of the series, another victim of the left-right combination was KL Rahul, who was dragged to number 6 from his well-settled number 5 position. This was done to make space for the leftie all-rounder Axar Patel, who was undoubtedly performing as well. That had put a big question mark over Rahul's ongoing form, but him getting back to his three-down position again in the third ODI proved that he is not lost, as he scored a quickfire 40 runs off 29 balls. However, Gambhir is not actually in a mood to drop him but get good use of him as a wicketkeeper instead of Rishabh Pant. The TOI report further suggested that the Gambhir-led management backed KL Rahul over chief selector Agarkar, who had confirmed Pant as the first-choice keeper. Rohit and Gambhir prioritized continuity, with Rahul playing all three England ODIs. The TOI report reads, "Selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar, while announcing the Champions Trophy squad, had claimed Pant was the first-choice wicketkeeper. As it turned out, Pant is the only player in the squad who didn't get a game in the three ODIs in the England series. Sources indicated that there had been heated debate in the selection meeting around retaining Shreyas Iyer in the team and over the second wicketkeeper's slot." Before India's Champions Trophy departure, Gambhir confirmed Rahul as the first-choice wicketkeeper over Pant, stating that while Pant would get opportunities, Rahul had delivered and remained the priority.