India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has acknowledged that it’s been really hard for ace wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to be watching the ongoing Champions Trophy matches from the sidelines but “that’s the nature of sport at this level”. Rishabh Pant has not been a part of the playing XI in the last two group games, with India handing over the wicket-keeping duties to KL Rahul, who has performed remarkably well behind the stumps and provided solidity to the middle order.
India won back-to-back matches against Bangladesh and Pakistan and a defeat against New Zealand can put them under pressure ahead of the semis. The team management understands that and for the same reason, nothing has been decided so far. A few reports claimed that Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami might get a rest but KL Rahul in the press conference stated that it might not be the case.
Prior to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir endorsed wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, referring to him as the team’s primary keeper option. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are the two wicketkeepers that India has selected for the Champions Trophy. During India’s final assignment before the major event, a three-match ODI series against England, the team management demonstrated faith in KL Rahul.
Star Indian wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant’s chances of making it into India’s playing 11 may have taken a massive blow with the Head Coach, Gautam Gambhir openly stating that KL Rahul would be his first-choice gloveman as they head into the Champions Trophy 2025.
A point to note is that among all the players that are in the squad, only Rishabh Pant is the one that did not get a single game. KL Rahul struggled initially when he played at the number six position with Axar Patel being promoted higher up the order. But since playing at his designated number five position, he put in a solid effort scoring 40 off 29 balls in the first innings of the 3rd ODI against England in Ahmedabad.
KL Rahul’s and Rishabh Pant’s performance in recent times in ODIs.
KL Rahul has been India’s go-to wicketkeeper-batsman since the ODI World Cup 2023, taking three catches and inflicting two stumpings in three ODIs. During the event, he had an incredible campaign, scoring 2 fifties and 452 runs from 10 innings at an average of 75.33. KL Rahul helped India chase down 201 in the opening game against Australia with a fantastic performance of 97* (115) under pressure.
Against the Netherlands, he also hit the fastest century ever scored by an Indian in the history of the competition, doing so in just 62 balls. In addition, with 17 dismissals—16 catches and one stumping—he inflicted the second-highest amount in the tournament. However, since returning to international cricket following a 15-month injury layoff, Rishabh Pant has only participated in one ODI.
In his lone appearance against Sri Lanka in the third ODI in August 2024, the southpaw took one catch and batted six (9). KL Rahul will play as India’s wicketkeeper in the Champions Trophy as the management once again showed faith in his glovework due to his tremendous performances with both bat and gloves.
Rishabh Pant was consequently forced to warm the bench during the three-match rubber and was not given the opportunity to play in the starting lineup. KL Rahul’s batting performance was poor in the first two games of the series, as he was bowled for two and ten, respectively. In the third game, he finally regained his form, scoring 40 (29) to help India reach 356.
Gautam Gambhir discussed KL Rahul and Pant’s fight for the Champions Trophy wicketkeeping spot, stating that KL has performed well thus far and that Pant would have to wait for his opportunity. Gautam Gambhir’s assistant Ryan Ten Doeschate also shared his thoughts on the same.
Ryan Ten Doeschate shares his views on India’s KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant selection headache at Champions Trophy 2025
Ahead of India’s crucial ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A clash against New Zealand on Sunday, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the ongoing debate surrounding the team’s wicketkeeping choice between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. While Rishabh Pant has remained on the sidelines, ten Doeschate acknowledged the tough selection calls at the highest level.
“It’s been very hard on Rishabh not playing, but that’s the nature of sport at this level. KL’s been good. He didn’t get many chances, and when you’re batting at six or seven, it’s difficult to get proper opportunities,” he said while speaking to reporters in Dubai.
Despite limited opportunities, the former Netherlands international highlighted Rahul’s contributions in crucial moments.
“Obviously, in the third ODI in India, he did really well, and that knock against Bangladesh proved crucial in the end,” he noted.
With both Rahul and Pant being top-tier wicketkeepers, ten Doeschate emphasised the importance of keeping Pant ready for any situation.
“We’ve got to keep Rishabh up and running. We never know when we’re going to need him, but certainly, having two wicketkeepers of that calibre is a nice thing to have,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rahul himself admitted to feeling the pressure of having Pant waiting in the wings. While he remains focused on his own game, he acknowledged the constant temptation for the team to include Pant in the XI.
“There is — I won’t lie. I mean, he’s obviously a very, very talented player, and he’s shown all of us what he can do, and how aggressive and how quickly he can change the game. So yes, there’s always the temptation for the team as well, whoever’s the captain, the coach to — there’s always that temptation to either play him or play me,” Rahul admitted during a press conference on Friday.
In the ongoing Champions Trophy, Rahul has embraced his role as India’s designated wicketkeeper-batter. He continued his strong form in the tournament opener against Bangladesh, finishing unbeaten on 41 from 47 balls, a knock that included a four and two sixes.
As India prepare for the encounter against New Zealand, the Rahul-Pant debate remains a key talking point, highlighting the depth and selection dilemmas within the squad. New Zealand have also already qualified for the semifinals after two wins and Sunday’s match will decide the Group A topper.