Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif who was Delhi Capitals assistant coach in 2019 and 2020 believes that Sanju Samson is better than Rishabh Pant in white ball cricket and that the star wicketkeeper batter deserves a spot in the Rohit Sharma-led Champions Trophy 2025 squad.
However, Kaif also reckons that Pant is a better wicketkeeper in Tests and he has almost reached the level of MS Dhoni.
"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," said Kaif.
Remembering Samson's recent knock against South Africa, Kaif said that the wicketkeeper batter is smashing centuries for fun.
Samson will now be seen opening the batting for India alongside Abhishek Sharma in the upcoming five-match T20I series which is scheduled to start from January 22. Samson is currently in the form of his life the wicketkeeper batter became first batter in T20I history to score three centuries in a calendar year. He is also only the second player after England's Phil Salt to achieve two centuries in a bilateral T20I series.
"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 added.
"Sanju Samson has genuinely earned that chance to go to the Champions Trophy. Rishabh Pant needs to work hard," concluded the former India batter.
Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to start from February 19 where India will face Bangladesh in their opener clash on February 19. India will play all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai.