Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has spoken about his pick for the wicketkeeper in Team India for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said Sanju Samson should be picked ahead of Rishabh Pant as he feels the former has moved ahead of the southpaw.
India's national cricket team for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is all set to be announced on Saturday (January 18). One of the things that has kept many confused is who will be the goalkeeper of the team in the tournament.
KL Rahul, who played the ICC World Cup 2023 as a wicketkeeper, is all set to play a specialist batsman. Reports claim that Rishabh Pant is all set to be the first-choice wicketkeeper for the team, while the names of Samson and Dhruv Jurel are also being considered.
Most likely, the battle is all set to be between Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson for the spot. While the left-hander averages 33.50 in his 31 ODIs, Samson has scored 510 runs at an average of 56.66 and has been in great white-ball form.
I think Sanju Samson went ahead of Rishabh Pant – Mohammad Kaif
According to Mohammad Kaif, Samson is superior to Rishabh Pant and while he admits left-handers are emotional, 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 great match winner in Tests. Who can forget his knock at the Gabba and the hundred in South Africa? It does well in overseas conditions. He is a good watchman. Rishabh Pant is a better wicket keeper than Sanju Samson; he almost reached the same level as MS Dhoni.
“However, in terms of batting, I think Sanju Samson has gone ahead of Rishabh Pant. He batted incredibly well. He smashed centuries for fun in South Africa, hitting more sixes than fours. He has the ability to hit sixes. He became consistent.”
He has reached that level where you have to keep him with KL Rahul in the Champions Trophy team – Mohammad Kaif on Sanju Samson
Mohammad Kaif said that Samson had the best year of his international career and argued that now is the time for the team management to fully support him. He highlighted the right-hander's composure, saying he needs to be up there with KL Rahul. He added:
“Sanju made his debut in 2015 in the T20Is in Harare and his second match came in 2020. In 2024, he had the best year of his career. Sometimes you make him open and sometimes you make him bat in the middle order. It never had a permanent place. He saw a lot of ups and downs but I didn't fully support him, I think Sanju Samson went way before Rishabh Pant.
“Sanju Samson is a relaxed batsman. He has benefited from the leadership of the IPL. He has reached that level where you have to keep him with KL Rahul in the Champions Trophy squad.”
Someone needs to tell him his white ball stats aren't 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 good as his red-ball form. He emphasized that the batsman needs to work hard as Samson earned the right to be picked for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said:
“Rishabh Pant must face reality. If someone says “wrong things are being done to you”, they are not saying the right things. Rishabh Pant should stay away from such friends. Someone needs to tell him his white ball stats aren't that great. Sanju Samson has truly earned his chance to go to the Champions Trophy. Rishabh Pant has to work hard.”
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