Former Indian batsman Mohammed Kaif praised wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and said he is “in the same league as MS Dhoni”.
Kaif, who played 125 ODIs for India, said Pant needs to work on his batting in white-ball formats despite being a fixture in all formats.
The 44-year-old praised Pant for his performances in Test matches, particularly in Australia and South Africa in difficult bowling conditions and for winning matches for India.
“He [Rishabh Pant] He is a big winner in tests. Who can forget his knock at the Gabba and the hundred in South Africa? Performs well in overseas conditions. He is a good goalkeeper. Rishabh Pant is a better goalkeeper than Sanju Samson; he has almost reached the same level as MS Dhoni,” Kaif said on her YouTube channel.
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However, Kaif felt that Sanju Samson has clearly better numbers than Pant in white-ball cricket and felt that the Kerala batsman should have been picked for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
“Someone needs to tell (Pant) that his white-ball stats are not that good. Sanju Samson has really earned the chance to go to the Champions Trophy. Rishabh Pant needs to work hard,” Kaif said.
Samson deserved a chance
Samson has not played ODI for India since December 2023 after scoring a match-winning knock of 108 against South Africa in Paarl. He was part of the team that won the 2024 T20 World Cup title, but was unable to play.
Pant was named in the 15-player squad for the Champions Trophy announced on Saturday ahead of Samson. “Sanju Samson has come forward. You have to understand this. With Rishabh Pant, people have their emotions attached,” Kaif said.
Pant had missed the 2023 ODI World Cup at home while recovering from a near-fatal road accident. He last played an ODI against Sri Lanka in August 2024, a series which India lost 0-2. Kaif felt that the left-hander should ignore people who gave him wrong advice.
“Rishabh Pant needs to acknowledge reality. If someone tells you ‘bad things are being done to you’, they are not telling you the right things. Rishabh Pant should stay away from such friends,” Kaif said.
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