The former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif feels that Sanju Samson has moved past Rishabh Pant in terms of performances in T20Is. However, people have their emotions attached to Rishabh Pant. He even feels that Pant's greatness has matched that of the former Indian captain wicketkeeper, MS Dhoni. Kaif credited Rishabh Pant's brilliance in Test cricket for enhancing his popularity in Indian cricket. Especially the match-winning knock at Gabba in the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy and his century in South Africa at Cape Town. On his YouTube channel, Kaif said, “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." Read also: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul Miss Ranji Trophy Amid Injury Concerns Kaif downplays Pant's white ball stats Kaif strongly supports Samson in the white ball cricket, saying that Rishabh Pant's stats are not great in white ball cricket. He even said that if someone is telling Pant that it will be unjust to sideline him from shorter formats, then Pant must stay away from such "friends." Kaif said, “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." However, Samson's place in the Champions Trophy is yet uncertain, as he skipped to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy match without any official notification. The Champions Trophy 2025 squad will be announced today, January 18.