Ahead of India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match against New Zealand, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate provided an update on Rohit Sharma’s injury, confirming he is managing it well. The focus also shifted to wicketkeepers KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, with ten Doeschate acknowledging the challenges of team selection. While Pant is sidelined, Rahul has been performing well, despite pressure from Pant’s presence. Rahul recognizes the temptation to choose either player, emphasizing his desire to focus on his own game. In the tournament, Rahul showcased his skills with a solid performance against Bangladesh, scoring 41 not out.
As India prepares for their pivotal ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A match against New Zealand this Sunday, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate shared an update regarding Rohit Sharma. In a conversation with reporters in Dubai, ten Doeschate assured everyone that Rohit is managing his injury well. “He’s fine. As you can see, he’s batting and did some fielding earlier. It’s an injury he has dealt with before, so he knows how to handle it effectively, and he’s managing it well,” he stated.
The conversation also turned to the wicketkeeping pair of KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. While Pant has been out of action, ten Doeschate recognized the challenges of selecting a team at such a high level.
“It’s been quite tough for Rishabh not to be playing, but that’s just the nature of sport at this level. KL has been performing well. He hasn’t had many opportunities, and when you bat at six or seven, it can be hard to find proper chances,” he explained.
Nonetheless, the former Netherlands international pointed out Rahul’s important contributions during critical moments.
“For instance, in the third ODI in India, he played exceptionally well, and his innings against Bangladesh ended up being crucial,” he observed.
With India having two top-notch wicketkeepers, ten Doeschate stressed the need to keep Pant ready.
“We need to ensure Rishabh stays fit and available. You never know when we might need him, but having two wicketkeepers of such high quality is definitely advantageous,” he concluded.
India’s first-choice wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul admitted feeling the pressure of Rishabh Pant waiting in the wings for his chance. With Pant on the sidelines, Rahul acknowledged there is always a “temptation” to choose either him or the explosive southpaw.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir’s choice to stick with Rahul over Pant has evoked mixed reactions from fans and former players. Some have endorsed the management’s decision to retain Rahul in the ODI setup, while others have argued for Pant’s inclusion, citing his impact in limited-overs cricket.
Rahul addressed the situation of playing ahead of Pant, acknowledging the performance pressure. The seasoned batter is not trying to outshine Pant; rather, he aims to excel in his own game. “There is – I won’t deny it. He is, without a doubt, an incredibly talented player who has demonstrated what he is capable of, and how quickly he can alter the course of a match. So yes, there’s always this temptation for the team, regardless of who the captain or coach is, to pick either him or me,” he mentioned in a press conference on Friday.
During the ongoing Champions Trophy, Rahul has embraced his role as a wicketkeeper batter. In the tournament opener against Bangladesh, he maintained his excellent form with a steady 41* off 47 balls, featuring one four and two gigantic sixes.
Topics mentioned in this article