The position of the wicketkeeper in the limited-overs format has been one of the topics of considerable discussion in Indian cricket. India used the seasoned Dinesh Karthik in the first half of the T20 World Cup 2022 before switching back to Rishabh Pant for the final two games. Both fell short at pivotal moments, but the selectors stuck with Pant for the New Zealand series, which hasn’t yet produced results.
Pant has played some amazing Test innings, but despite numerous opportunities, his ODI potential has not yet been fully realised on the international arena. Samson, on the other hand, has recently had a winning streak in ODIs and has played some impressive innings. Samson was, however, sacrificed in the second ODI in Hamilton for the team’s balance, which experts said was a mistake.
With the exception of his thunderous century against England in July, veteran New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull felt that Pant’s ODI statistics aren’t spectacular. He stated that Samson deserves a lot more opportunities and pointed out that his recent average has been amazing.
“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.
“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 shoe-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 added.