Dubai, Feb 28 (Reporter) India's wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul acknowledged the ongoing competition with Rishabh Pant for a place in the playing XI, stating that while there is always a temptation for the team management to choose between them, his focus remains on performing to the best of his abilities. "There is (competition with Pant), I won't lie. He is a very talented player and has shown all of us what he can do and how aggressively he can play and how quickly he can change the game. So there is always a temptation in the team with the captain and the coach to think if they should play him or play me. "For me, whenever I get the opportunity, I try and see what I can do best. I am not trying to compete with Rishabh. I am not trying to play like him, or I am sure when he gets a chance, he is not trying to play like anybody else. He is picked on the basis of how he can play, and the same applies to me," Rahul told reporters ahead of CT clash against New Zealand on Sunday. When asked whether Pant might feature in the upcoming Champions Trophy match, Rahul clarified that he is not part of the leadership group and does not have a say in selection matters. "Luckily I am not part of the leadership group. I don't have to make that decision. There will be some temptation to try out players who have not gotten a game. But I don't think that will happen in the Champions Trophy, because there is just one day's break between the final group-stage game and the semifinal. That is my version," he stated. Speaking about Virat Kohli nearing his 300th ODI appearance, Rahul lauded the veteran batsman, highlighting his immense contribution to Indian cricket. "Words fall short of explaining the kind of player he has been… that's a lot of games, international games, and he has been a great, great player. An important senior player who we always look up to. Hopefully, many more hundreds left in him," Rahul remarked. Regarding concerns over the fitness of captain Rohit Sharma and pacer Mohammad Shami, Rahul dismissed any major worries. "Fitness-wise, there are no concerns about anyone (Rohit Sharma and Mohammad Shami) missing a game as far as I know." Meanwhile, Shami showed signs of discomfort with his ankle early in his spell, briefly leaving the field before returning to bowl. He eventually finished with figures of 0/43 from eight overs. Rohit, on the other hand, appeared to struggle with a hamstring issue following his exuberant celebration of Babar Azam’s wicket. He was briefly off the field, handing over leadership duties to vice-captain Shubman Gill before returning for the batting innings...////...