IND vs NZ: “Samson Deserves An Opportunity” – Simon Doull Shares His Take On Rishabh Pant vs Sanju Samson Debate

Former New Zealand National Cricket Team speedster Simon Doull has shared his perspectives on the famous Rishabh Pant vs Sanju Samson debate, saying that the latter deserves a consistent run of chances.

Pant has emerged as a highly successful wicketkeeper-batter in Test cricket, but he has failed miserably to replicate the same success in limited-overs cricket. He has played 66 T20Is, scoring 987 runs at an average of 22.4 and a strike rate of 126.4. In 29 ODIs, Pant has amassed 855 runs at an average of 35.6 and a strike rate of 107.5.

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Many fans and cricket pundits have backed Samson to be picked over Pant in India’s white-ball team. However, the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter has only been provided with limited opportunities.

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Doull mentioned that Samson averages over 60 – 66 to be precise – in 11 ODIs and said that he deserves a longer rope.

“Rishabh Pant’s record is a decent sample size. He has played just under 30 games and only averages 35, the strike rate is good. But Sanju in 11 games is averaging 60-something. And I don’t think he is any less of a wicketkeeper. I just think he deserves an opportunity as well,” Doull said on Cricbuzz.

Notably, Samson was included in India’s playing XI for the first ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand, but he was dropped for the second ODI in the favour of Deepak Hooda.

In white-ball formats, he hasn’t quite done it – Simon Doull on Rishabh Pant

The 53-year-old Doull further said that Pant is an unbelievable Test player, but he was rather uncertain about the wicket-keeper’s place in the limited-overs setup.

“The Rishabh Pant vs Sanju Samson debate is an interesting one for me. There is so much talk about Rishabh Pant, and how he is the future. But in white-ball formats, he hasn’t quite done it. Unbelievable Test player, and he is a shoo-in in Tests as the wicketkeeper-batter, no issue with that? But is he the best white-ball keeper batter? I am not convinced,” he pointed out.

Also Read: IND vs NZ: “It Was A Really Good Debut On A Tough Pitch” – Doull On Umran Malik’s ODI Debut