India's explosive wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been waiting on the sidelines to get an opportunity in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The three-ODI series at home made it clear that KL Rahul is the preferred wicketkeeper-batter in the side. The team management has backed Rahul to don the gloves and play in the middle order. It is a headache for selectors to keep Pant out of the playing XI. India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has said that it has been hard for the southpaw but Rahul has done well. Also, he did not rule out the chances of Pant playing in the upcoming matches of the tournament.
"It's been very hard on Rishabh not playing. But that's the nature of sport at this level," Doeschate told the reporters in Dubai on February 28.
"KL has been good. He didn't get many chances... we've got to keep Rishabh up and running. We never know when we're going to need him. But certainly to have two wicket keepers of that calibre is a nice thing to have."
Rahul on competition with Pant
Rahul has opened up on the competition between him and Pant for a spot in the playing XI. The Karnataka batter hailed Pant's ability to change the game quickly. He admits that the two wicketkeeper-batters' approach is different which makes it hard for team management to pick one. However, he won't make changes in the way he plays the game.
"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 to either play him or play me. There's always that," Rahul told the reporters ahead of New Zealand game.
"If I'm given the opportunity, I try and see what I can do best. I am not trying to compete with Rishabh or I am not trying to play like him or when he gets his opportunities I am sure he is not going to try to play like anybody else. He is picked on the basis of how he can play and what he can provide for the team and the same applies to me. So, I try and do what I do best and try to stick to my game."
Rahul's recent performances
After two disappointing scores against New Zealand, Rahul has done well down the order. After a quickfire 40 in Ahmedabad, he scored an unbeaten 41 in the successful run chase against Bangladesh in India's opening game of the season.
