'We want Rishabh Pant' - Gautam Gambhir told to drop ‘useless’ KL Rahul after failure vs NZ

The India National Cricket Team’s real test has begun in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with the final group match against New Zealand, and KL Rahul failed to step up for his team when it mattered most at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday (March 2).

Rahul came to bat when India’s score was 128/4, and the expectations were high from him, as he has been getting chances ahead of the explosive Rishabh Pant. But the right-handed batter left one and all disappointed, and the Men in Blue in trouble against the Black Caps.

KL Rahul falls cheaply again as India struggles against New Zealand

He was dismissed by Mitchell Santner for just 23 runs off 29 balls, putting India under further pressure against the Black Caps to spark fans’ fury on social media. The delivery was pushed through on the off-stump, skidding off the surface after pitching.

Read Also: Watch: Shreyas Iyer spotted using Rohit Sharma's bat in IND vs NZ clash to demolish Kiwis

Rahul, looking to punch it off the back foot, could only manage a thick outside edge. The ball deviated sharply, but Tom Latham reacted swiftly behind the stumps and completed a difficult catch to put pressure on the Men in Blue in the ongoing match in Dubai.

While many fans have been blaming Gautam Gambhir for destroying Rahul’s career by sending him to his weak batting position, leaving many fans feeling for the batter, some are calling for Rishabh Pant’s return to the playing XI for the knockouts of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Here's how fans react to KL Rahul's flop show against the Black Caps:

केएल राहुल बड़ी पारी खेलने में रहे नाकाम

NZvsIND, CT 2025, Champions Trophy 2025, KL Rahul pic.twitter.com/tVNQHBfUZ7

— Root Jaiswal (@JaiswalRoot) March 2, 2025

Rishabh pant ke career avg se jyada hi run bana leta hai KL Rahul 🤭🤭🤭

— No Context India (@nocontextindia0) March 2, 2025

In WC2023, Watch Maxwell inning for important match where Australia defeat can lead to Group stage exit and KL Rahul inning for important match where it matters.
You will see difference between Match winner for 🇦🇺 and a loser for 🇮🇳 in knockout stages. @Cricketracker #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/6S6nViRf39

— Asaman Sharma (@asamanshrm) March 2, 2025

1st time KL Rahul Got out in Champions Trophy, Pitch is not easy to bat but Disappointed 💔

Hopefully a better Gameplay in Semis pic.twitter.com/kKgNV1pF19

— 𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙪 (@KLfied_) March 2, 2025

KL Rahul why do you play when Pant is there? Because of your slow batting India lost 23 ODI WC final.. u seem to be like quota player ..

— Pranjal Ray (@Pranjalray77) March 2, 2025

KL Rahul has some unreal records on number 4,5 still GG sending him to bat at 6 ,proper planning of destroying his career

Feel for him 😞 pic.twitter.com/UqHedK24ik

— KL'sGIRL (@Silverglohss_1) March 2, 2025

What stupid and disastrous decision to play KL Rahul instead of Rishabh Pant in the Champions Trophy, India won't win this trophy if KL Rahul plays knockout games.

— Stocks Picker (NISM Certified Research Analyst) (@anandchokshi19) March 2, 2025

#indvsnz Again the biggest fraud of Indian cricket .. will look all classy to score but always will fail when needed KL Rahul

— Voice of the Gully (@GullyVoice) March 2, 2025

KL Rahul is the biggest fraud for Indian cricket in last 10 year …jis ICC tournament me ye team me raha h india wo championship haari h….last t20 worldcup me team me nahi tha , hum world cup jeet gaye the. #INDvsNZ

— Sandeep Kumar🇮🇳 (@kingsandy1704) March 2, 2025

Feel for KL Rahul—he doesn’t get to play in his natural position, yet he still gives his best for the team. Being KL Rahul isn’t easy.#INDvsNZ #KLRahul https://t.co/a5TAb6OuF5

— KLassy 🚩 (@EndrickFC9) March 2, 2025

Kisi ko bhi khila lo… even sanju samson aree MS Dhoni ko khila lo lekin ye KL Rahul ko htaaao

— Dev 𝕏 (@web3advocate) March 2, 2025

When was the last time KL Rahul won India any match ? He is just an useless player in team #indvsNz

— cricket fan (@thechamp2000) March 2, 2025

We want entertainers like rishabh pant

— neeraj koyyani JSP (@neeraj_koyyani) March 2, 2025

Rahul had shown some form in the first group match against Bangladesh, scoring an unbeaten 41 runs off 47 balls in Dubai. However, the Karnataka star didn’t get to bat in the high-stakes match against Pakistan, but he missed the chance to add some runs to his tally against the Black Caps.

It's great to make winning a habit: Rahul said on India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign so far

Ahead of the match, Indian wicketkeeper-batter has expressed his elation at the team’s first two wins in the tournament, and he even compared the team’s performance with the Formula 1 pit crew. However, beating the Kiwis wouldn’t be that easy for Bangladesh and Pakistan as it is for India.

Rahul had said at the pre-match press conference, “It's great to make winning a habit. So, we did in our first two games here in Dubai. Our batters rose to the occasion. Our bowlers left the opposition spellbound, and our fielding unit performed like a Formula 1 pit crew.”

KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty to become parents in April 2025

Meanwhile, KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty are expecting their first baby, and recently, her father, actor Suniel Shetty, shared his joy as he is getting ready to become a grandfather. The veteran actor also revealed Athiya’s due date and said that every conversation is just around the upcoming baby.

Suniel Shetty was quoted as saying by NDTV, “Right now, it's probably all about the grandchild. There's no other conversation, and we don't want any other conversation. We're just eagerly looking forward to meeting the baby in April.”