Who Has Better Techniques and Future as a Wicket Keeper Batsman: Rishabh Pant or Sanju Samson?
When it comes to the Indian cricket team, the debate over Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson as wicket keeper batsmen is a topic of great interest. Both players have unique strengths and weaknesses, making it a complex comparison. There is no doubt that Rishabh Pant is more frequently highlighted in discussions about wicket keeper batsmen, but Sanju Samson also shows potential. This article will delve into the techniques and future prospects of both players, providing insights for cricket enthusiasts and analysts alike.
Rishabh Pant: An Innovator with Strong Batting Abilities
It is widely acknowledged that Rishabh Pant has better overall performance and batting skills as a wicket keeper batsman. However, at times, he takes rash shots that threaten his wicket. For instance, when his team needs him to bat for a longer duration, he may play impatiently, resulting in early dismissals. Despite this, Rishabh Pant's aggressive and innovative batting style makes him an ideal finisher or strong middle-order batsman.
Pant's physical attributes and power make him suited for hit-and-run cricket in limited-overs formats. His ability to score runs quickly and effectively is unmatched by many others in the team. However, to realize his full potential, he needs more opportunities and experience in specific batting positions. With each passing match, his skills are likely to improve, and he could potentially become India's best number four batsman after Yuvraj Singh.
Sanju Samson: A Classical Batsman with Exceptional Keeping Skills
Sanju Samson, on the other hand, is known for his exceptional keeping skills and a more classical batting style. When it comes to wicket keeping, Samson is considered a step ahead of Pant. However, his batting can be more controlled, which might not always align with the needs of the cricket team in all formats.
While Sanju Samson has the technical and tactical batting finesse that is crucial for longer cricket formats, his approach can sometimes hold his team back due to his consistency issues. He displays bursts of brilliance but often fails to build innings. His consistency is a key area that needs improvement, and this is an area where he could benefit from more practice and match exposure.
Sanju Samson's keeping skills are also highly regarded, and there have been instances where he has shown exceptional ability to take catches. Despite potential biases, his catching skills are undeniably strong. However, his batting style can sometimes lack the sharpness needed to make a significant impact in shorter formats of cricket.
Conclusion: Who Will Fill Dhoni's Boots?
The comparison between Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson as wicket keeper batsmen is complex, and it is hard to declare a clear winner at the moment. Rishabh Pant's raw talent and innovative batting style can make him a potential successor to Mahela Jayawardene in limited-overs cricket, much like how Dinesh Karthik and Dhoni filled similar roles when they coexisted in the team.
Sanju Samson, with his superior catching and better technical batting, could be a more reliable choice for traditional formats of cricket. However, Pant's aggressive style makes him a valuable asset in T20 and ODI formats, where quick scores and finishes are paramount.
Both players have immense potential and need to address their weaknesses to become complete wicket keeper batsmen. Ishan Kishan, another talent in the squad, could also be a potential successor if given the right opportunities and experience.
Given the ongoing debates and the promising performances of both players, the future of wicket keeping and batting in Indian cricket remains an exciting and dynamic topic to follow.