Mohammad Kaif Compared Rishabh Pant to the Legends MS Dhoni, saying the youngster has already equalled the former Indian captain level in his eyes. The India squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 is likely to be announced on Saturday, January 18. One of the points of discussion has been the wicketkeeping options India should go in with at the global event. The ones in contention are KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and Pant. Only two of them are expected to make the cut. Former India cricketer Kaif commented on the matter and noted that Samson has moved past Pant in the context of T20Is. He mentioned how Samson has notched three centuries in his last five matches in T20Is for India. Still, Kaif did appreciate Pant for his work in the red-ball circuit. Here is what Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel “Sanju Samson has gone ahead. You have to understand this. With Rishabh Pant, people have their emotions attached. He is a big match-winner in Tests. Who can forget his knock at the Gabba and the hundred in South Africa? He performs well in overseas conditions. He is a good wicketkeeper. Rishabh Pant is a better wicketkeeper than Sanju Samson; he has almost reached the same level as MS Dhoni,” Also Read | Rohit Sharma confirms playing in the Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai Kaif pleaded with Pant to accept the reality, saying his numbers in white-ball cricket aren't impressive. The cricketer turned commentator asserted that Samson has earned the right to make the Champions Trophy squad. “Rishabh Pant needs to recognise the reality. If someone tells him 'wrong things are being done with you', they are not telling the right things. Rishabh Pant should stay away from such friends. Someone needs to tell him that his white-ball stats are not that great. Sanju Samson has genuinely earned that chance to go to the Champions Trophy. Rishabh Pant needs to work hard,” Kaif stated. Samson has played 16 ODIs and has made 510 runs at an average of 56.67 with a strike rate of 99.61. He has notched up three half-centuries and a solitary ton. On the other hand, Pant has appeared in 31 ODIs, scoring 871 runs at an average of 33.50 with a strike rate of 106.22. He has five fifties and one century to his credit.