Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has questioned whether Rishabh Pant is India’s best wicketkeeper-batter, adding Sanju Samson deserves more opportunities in white-ball cricket. Doull said there is no doubt that Pant is miles ahead of the rest in Tests but expressed doubts over his ability in the shorter formats of the game.
Pant, who batted at the top of the order, failed to make use of the opportunities in the 3-match T20I series, managing just 17 runs in 2 innings. However, Pant has been a consistent run-getter for India in ODIs in 2022. After scoring a match-winning hundred against England, Pant was picked for the first ODI in New Zealand, but he got out for 15.
“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 told Cricbuzz.
Doull said the debate to pick one between Samson and Pant interests him but added he is not convinced about his abity in white-ball cricket.
“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 added.
