“Not a big thing” - Harbhajan Singh picks between Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant for India's second wicket-keeper ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

Former India legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh has picked Sanju Samson over Rishabh Pant for the second wicketkeeper’s role in India's squad for the upcoming ICC 2025 Champions Trophy. The 44-year-old argued that Sanju was previously part of the white-ball side in South Africa, particularly T20Is, thus he must get the nod ahead of Pant.

The right-handed batter recently slammed two T20I centuries for the Men in Blue in the five-game series against the Proteas. Samson also smashed 108 against South Africa in his last ODI outing in December 2023 before being dropped for the three ODIs in Sri Lanka.

The cricketer-turned-commentator said on his YouTube channel:

“I think one among Sanju Samson or Rishabh Pant should be picked. I think Sanju should be preferred because he had played in South Africa. Rishabh Pant played so well in Australia but it was a long tour so if he is rested, it’s not a big thing.”

Pant was the fourth-highest leading run-getter for India in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The southpaw amassed 255 runs in five matches (nine innings), including a quickfire 61 off 33 balls in his second innings of the fifth Test in Sydney. He, however, didn't find a place in India's squad for the upcoming five-game T20I series against England.

Meanwhile, it's worth mentioning that KL Rahul is likely to be the first-choice wicketkeeper for the Champions Trophy. The 32-year-old, however, managed 31 and 0 in his two outings during the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka last year. The right-handed batter, however, amassed 1064 runs in 27 ODIs (24 innings) in 2023. During that phase, he scored two tons and seven half-centuries.

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How Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant have performed in ODIs ahead of the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy?

Rishabh Pant is a favorite to be picked over Sanju Samson in the India squad for the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy. The 27-year-old has 871 runs in 31 matches (27 innings) at an average of 33.50, including one century and five 50s. He scored just six runs in his only outing in the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, where India lost by a 0-2 margin, last year.

On the other hand, Sanju Samson has 510 runs in 16 ODIs (14 innings) at an average of 56.66, including one ton and three half-centuries. In his List-A career, the 30-year-old has 3,487 runs in 128 matches (119 innings), hitting three tons and 19 half-centuries. The Kerala batter will next be seen in the upcoming five-game T20I series against England, which starts on January 22.