Champions Trophy – Pant in, KL Rahul rested vs NZ? India assistant coach ten Doeschate answers

India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the team’s wicketkeeping dilemma ahead of their final Champions Trophy group-stage clash against New Zealand on March 2. With both teams already securing semi-final berths, speculation is rife about potential lineup changes, including the possibility of Rishabh Pant replacing KL Rahul behind the stumps.

Rahul has been India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in the tournament but has had limited opportunities with the bat, often coming in at No. 6 or 7 due to the top order’s dominant form. This has fuelled calls from fans and pundits for Pant’s inclusion, given his aggressive batting style and his status as India’s first-choice Test wicketkeeper. While speaking to the media, ten Doeschate acknowledged the challenge of balancing team selection while ensuring that Pant remains match-ready, especially with knockout games approaching.

Champions Trophy: Full Coverage | Points Table

“It’s been very hard on Rishabh not playing. But that’s the nature of sport at this level.

“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 wicketkeepers of that calibre is a nice thing to have.”

In India’s two matches so far, Rahul has only had the chance to bat once, scoring a 41-run knock against Bangladesh. His form in the ODI series against England before the Champions Trophy was also modest, managing just 52 runs across three innings. With Rahul’s limited time in the middle, some argue that Pant deserves an opportunity, especially if India look to test their bench strength ahead of the semi-final.

Pant, however, has not played any ODIs recently, having missed the England series entirely. This raises concerns about his match readiness, though his natural game is well-suited for big occasions. Given that India have already qualified, resting Rahul could be a strategic move to ensure both wicketkeeper-batters get game time before the knockout stage.

With the India-New Zealand clash set to determine the final standings in Group A, all eyes will be on the team selection. Whether India persist with Rahul or hand Pant his first Champions Trophy game will be one of the key talking points. Regardless of the decision, India will aim to maintain their unbeaten run and carry momentum into the semi-finals.