Rishabh Pant has almost reached MS Dhoni's level: Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif compared Rishabh Pant to the legendary MS Dhoni, saying that the youngster has already reached the same level as the former India captain.

India's squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 is set 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. KL Rahul, Sanju Samson, and Pant are the ones in contention. Only two of them are expected to make the cut.

Former India cricketer Kaif shared his views on this matter, pointing out how Samson has gone past Pant with his recent performances in T20Is for India. The Kerala cricketer has scored three centuries in his last five T20I matches. However, Kaif hailed Pant for his performances in the red-ball circuit.

“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,” Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Kaif urged Pant to accept the reality, saying that his numbers in white-ball cricket are not 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.

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Samson has played 16 ODIs and has scored 510 runs at an average of 56.67 and a strike rate of 99.61. He has notched up three half-centuries and a solitary ton. Meanwhile, Pant has featured in 31 ODIs, scoring 871 runs at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 106.22. He has five fifties and one century to his name.