ICC Champions Trophy 2025: 'Rishabh Pant on same level as Dhoni, but Sanju Samson superior' - RR star finalized for CT

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif talked about his choice for the wicketkeeper in Team India for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said that Sanju Samson should be picked ahead of the Rishabh Pant as he feels that the former has gone ahead of the southpaw.

The India National Cricket Team squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to be announced on Saturday (18th January). One of the things that has kept many confused is who will be the wicketkeeper for the team in the tournament.

KL Rahul, who played ICC World Cup 2023 as a keeper, is reportedly all set to play a specialist batter. The reports claimed that Rishabh Pant is all set to be the first-choice keeper for the team, while the names of Samson and Dhruv Jurel are too in consideration.

The battle is most likely all set to be between Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson for the place. While the left-hander averages 33.50 in the 31 ODIs, Samson has scored 510 runs at an average of 56.66 and has been in terrific white-ball form.

I think Sanju Samson has gone ahead of Rishabh Pant - Mohammad Kaif

According to Mohammad Kaif, Samson is superior to Rishabh Pant, and while admitting that there are emotions attached to the left-hander, he said the right-hander has become consistent. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:

“Sanju Samson has gone ahead. You have to understand this. With Rishabh Pant, people have their emotions attached. He is a big match-winner in Tests. Who can forget his knock at the Gabba and the hundred in South Africa? He performs well in overseas conditions. He is a good wicketkeeper. Rishabh Pant is a better wicketkeeper than Sanju Samson; he has almost reached the same level as MS Dhoni.

“However, when batting is concerned, I think Sanju Samson has gone ahead of Rishabh Pant. He has been batting incredibly well. He smashed centuries for fun in South Africa, hitting more sixes than fours. He has the ability to hit sixes. He has become consistent."

He has reached that level where you need to keep him with KL Rahul in the Champions Trophy squad - Mohammad Kaif on Sanju Samson

Mohammad Kaif said that Samson had the best year in his international career and claimed that it's now time for team management to fully back him. He highlighted the calmness of the right-hander, saying that he needs to be there with KL Rahul. He added:

"Sanju debuted in 2015 in T20Is in Harare, and his second match came in 2020. In 2024, he had his best year of his career. You sometimes make him open, and sometimes you make him bat in the middle order. He never had a permanent spot. He has seen many ups and downs, but we have never fully backed him. I think Sanju Samson has gone far ahead of Rishabh Pant.."

"Sanju Samson is a relaxed batter. He has benefitted from leading in the IPL. He has reached that level where you need to keep him with KL Rahul in the Champions Trophy squad."

Someone needs to tell him that his white-ball stats are not that great - Mohammad Kaif on Rishabh Pant

Mohammad Kaif concluded by saying that Rishabh Pant needs to be told that his white-ball stats are not as great as his red-ball form. He stressed that the batter needs to work hard while Samson has earned the right to be picked for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said:

“Rishabh Pant needs to recognise the reality. If someone tells him 'wrong things are being done with you', they are not telling the right things. Rishabh Pant should stay away from such friends. Someone needs to tell him that his white-ball stats are not that great. Sanju Samson has genuinely earned that chance to go to the Champions Trophy. Rishabh Pant needs to work hard.”

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