In a recent turn of events, it seems the Indian management might be considering Rishabh Pant as a potential replacement for Sanju Samson if he continues to struggle in the T20 format. Right now, Samson, hailing from Kerala, is the go-to wicketkeeper and has performed admirably under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership. However, since being moved to the middle order, his performance has taken a nosedive. Just yesterday, Samson had a prime opportunity to bat at number three. Suryakumar stepped back, allowing Samson to partner with Abhishek Sharma early on during the powerplay against Australia in Melbourne. Unfortunately, Samson appeared completely out of sorts. He faced just four balls, and the pace, bounce, and movement of the ball seemed to unsettle him. Nathan Ellis got the better of him, trapping him in front of the stumps, and to make matters worse, he wasted a review before heading back to the dugout. While it was somewhat unjust for Samson to be dropped down the order during the Asia Cup, his position may be in jeopardy if reports from Telecom Asia Sport hold any weight. They suggest that the management, led by Gautam Gambhir, is keen on having Pant as the all-format keeper. Additionally, Samson’s recent form has raised significant concerns. This year in T20Is, Samson has managed to score only 185 runs over 10 innings, which is quite disappointing. Even more alarming is his strike rate of 120.91 during this stretch, marking his lowest in any year to date. Also Read | Watch Alyssa Healy drops easy catch, gives life to Jemimah Rodrigues Where Does Rishabh Pant Fit in India’s T20I Line-Up Hierarchy? On a brighter note, Rishabh Pant has made his long-awaited comeback to cricket after fracturing his toe during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in July. After undergoing surgery and rehabilitation, he’s now back in competitive action, captaining India A in a two-match unofficial Test series against South Africa A. Although he serves as the vice-captain of the Indian Test team, Pant finds himself lower in the pecking order for T20Is. His last appearance in a T20 international was back in July 2024. Since then, the team has continued to back Samson, with Dhruv Jurel and Jitesh Sharma waiting in the wings as alternatives. While India might want to consider including Pant in their plans, it wouldn't be fair to the three keepers mentioned earlier. Jitesh and Jurel haven't had the chance to showcase their skills, and Samson was moved to the middle order just to make room for Shubman Gill. Plus, Pant's T20I stats 1209 runs with an average of 23.25 and a strike rate of 127.26 aren't exactly inspiring confidence.