NEW DELHI: 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 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.
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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.
