As India prepares for their crucial ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A match against New Zealand, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has provided an update on captain Rohit Sharma’s fitness. Speaking in Dubai, ten Doeschate reassured that Rohit is managing his injury well.
“He’s all right. He’s batting, and he did a little bit of fielding earlier.
It’s an injury he has dealt with before, so he knows how to handle it effectively,” he said. Despite the concern surrounding Rohit’s fitness, the Indian captain remains in control of his recovery process and is expected to play a key role in the upcoming match.
Wicketkeeper Dilemma: KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant
The discussion also turned to India’s wicketkeeping choices, with KL Rahul currently preferred over Rishabh Pant. Ten Doeschate acknowledged the difficulty of such selections, highlighting how tough it has been for Pant to remain on the sidelines. “It’s been hard on Rishabh not playing, but that’s the nature of competitive sports. KL has been doing well, though he hasn’t had many chances batting lower in the order,” he explained.
He further pointed out Rahul’s key contributions, particularly in India’s third ODI against Bangladesh, where his knock proved decisive. However, he stressed the importance of keeping Pant prepared for any opportunity that might arise. “Having two high-quality wicketkeepers is a great advantage, and we need to ensure Rishabh is always ready,” he added.
KL Rahul Acknowledges Pressure from Pant
India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul admitted feeling the pressure of competition from Pant. With the explosive left-hander waiting for his opportunity, Rahul acknowledged the constant temptation for the team to consider Pant in the playing XI. “I won’t lie—there’s always that temptation to play either him or me. He’s a very talented player who can change the game quickly,” Rahul said.
Despite this, he emphasized his focus on maintaining consistency rather than competing directly with Pant. Rahul has embraced his role in the ongoing Champions Trophy, delivering a composed 41* off 47 balls in India’s opening match against Bangladesh. While the selection debate continues to divide fans and former cricketers, Rahul remains committed to performing at his best and justifying the team’s faith in him.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
