India, Feb. 14 -- Former England captain Kevin Pietersen sent a message to India head coach Gautam Gambhir to keep wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul at No. 5 in the playing XI for the Champions Trophy. His comment came amid Gambhir revealing that he would continue to prefer a left-right combination in the middle-order, thus giving no guarantee on Rahul's batting position.

The Indian team management was criticised during the first two matches of the recently concluded home ODI series against England after Axar Patel was sent to bat at No. 5 ahead of Rahul. While the all-rounder benefitted from the promotion, the wicketkeeper struggled at No. 6, scoring just 12 runs in two innings.

However, on his return to his original spot in the final tie i...