The Indian cricket team has to play its last league match against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025. Before this match, there are reports that the team management may try Rishabh Pant by resting KL Rahul. Now whether this will happen or not, the team's assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate has tried to answer this question.

Both the teams have already confirmed their place in the semi-finals, so it is possible that along with India, New Zealand may also be seen making some changes in this match. For India, Rahul has been India's first-choice wicketkeeper in the tournament, but he has got limited opportunities with the bat, often due to the dominance of the top order, he has had to come at number 6 or 7.

This is the reason why many cricket fans and cricket experts have talked about including Pant in the team in place of Rahul. Speaking to the media, Ten Doeschate said, "It has been very tough for Rishabh not to play. But that's the nature of the game at this level. KL has been good. He hasn't got many chances. We have to keep Rishabh ready. We never know when we will need him. But it is definitely good to have two wicketkeepers of that calibre."

Notably, in India's two matches so far, Rahul has got the chance to bat only once, scoring 41 runs against Bangladesh. He also had a poor outing in the ODI series against England before the Champions Trophy, scoring just 52 runs in three innings. Given Rahul's limited chances, some argue that Pant should get the chance, especially if India want to test their bench strength ahead of the semi-finals.