Sunil Gavaskar explains why Rishabh Pant was preferred over Sanju Samson in Team India’s 2025 Champions Trophy squad

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has shed light on why Rishabh Pant was preferred over Sanju Samson in Team India’s 2025 Champions Trophy squad. Gavaskar noted that Pant is a better wicket-keeper bat than Sanju Samson and that worked in his favor.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul will be India’s first-choice wicket-keeper for the marquee tournament whereas Pant will be the second-choice gloveman. Rishabh Pant, who has not been picked for England T20Is, recently scored 255 runs in five Test matches against Australia at an average of 28.33. 

On the other hand, Sanju Samson has scored 510 runs in 16 ODIs at an impressive average of 56.66 but he has received sporadic chances in the 50-over format.

Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, has amassed 871 runs in 31 ODIs at an average of 33.5.

Sunil Gavaskar said on India Today, “Very tough because the man has been scoring hundreds and hundreds of runs. There is no excuse to leave him out. But he was pitted against Rishabh Pant, who we all know can be a game-changer. Plus Pant is a left-hander and he is probably the better wicketkeeper, although he might not be the better batter than Samson.”

The Little Master added that Samson must not feel dejected after he was ignored by the selectors.

“Very tough because the man has been scoring hundreds and hundreds of runs. There is no excuse to leave him out. But he was pitted against Rishabh Pant, who we all know can be a game-changer. Plus Pant is a left-hander and he is probably the better wicketkeeper, although he might not be the better batter than Samson.”

India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on 20th February in Dubai.