Rishabh Pant has been given more chances than Sanju Samson since MS Dhoni has left the place of wicketkeeper-batsman vacant in India’s national cricket team. However, neither of the two has created much impact whenever given chances but Pant has been preferred over Sanju. Biju George, the childhood coach of Sanju, has opined the reason why Rishabh Pant is the priority for Team India.
Pant has, so far, played 28 T20I and scored 410 runs at an average of 20.50. His highest score in the shortest format is not out 65 runs. On the other hand, Sanju Samson has featured in only four matches, among them, he played his first T20I way back in 2015 before being dropped.
He was recalled back in the Indian squad after Dhoni went under sabbatical last year. Since then, he has played in three T20I matches and scored 16 runs.
Rishabh Pant is a priority because he is a left-hander:
According to Biju George, Sanju Samson should have got more chances by now. However, he thinks that because Rishabh Pant is a left-hander, he gets more opportunities.
He added that the second reason could be keeping the view of India’s strategies. But, Samson’s coach does not feel that it is not deliberate not to give anybody a chance.
“If you ask me as a person who is close to Sanju, I would say he should have got more chances. But if you look at the Indian team’s point of view – why they are giving Rishabh Pant so many chances? First, he is a left-hander, obviously. Second, Indian team strategies. The chief selector should decide who is the best suitable to be in the team against an opposition – Pant or Sanju? I don’t think this is coming out deliberately not to give anybody a chance,” George stated.
Meanwhile, both Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson would feature in the upcoming Indian Premier League in September-November in UAE. Pant will represent Delhi Capitals while Sanju Samson will play for Rajasthan Royals.