New Zealand vs India 2022

Shashi Tharoor shares his thoughts about Rishabh Pant-Sanju Samson saga with team India

The Rishabh Pant vs Sanju Samson debate once again came under the focus light.

Nov 30, 2022 3:04 pm

Sanju Samson (left), Shashi Tharoor, and Rishabh Pant (right) (Source: Twitter)

Sanju Samson (left), Shashi Tharoor, and Rishabh Pant (right) (Source: Twitter)

After warming the bench in the T20I series against New Zealand, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson got the chance to play in the first match of the three-match ODI series. He played a supportive knock of 36 runs off 38 balls and put up a crucial partnership with Shreyas Iyer. However, Samson was dropped again for the 2nd and 3^rd ODI and it certainly raised a few eyebrows.

On the other hand, Rishabh Pant has been struggling a lot in the shortest format of the game in recent times. He was also having a hard time in the recently-concluded 20-20 World Cup 2022. Pant got the chance in the ODI series as well, In the first match, the 25-year-old scored 15 runs off 23 balls including only two fours. Indian team management backed Pant for the rest of the two ODI matches as well but eventually failed again.

‘Pant clearly needs a break’ – Shashi Tharoor

Indian National Congress leader Shashi Tharoor made serious remarks on Pant and said that the youngster need a break. He also said that Samson will now have to wait for the Indian T20 League to prove his worth. Samson is not included in the squad for the Bangladesh tour in December.

“One more failure for Pant, who clearly needs a break from white-ball cricket. One more opportunity denied to @IamSanjuSamson who now has to wait for the Indian T20 League to show that he’s one of the best top-order bats in India. #IndvsNZ,” Tharoor wrote on Twitter.

Tharoor also replied to VVS Laxman who said that Pant has done really well at no.4 and it is very important to back him. The politician mentioned the difference between the stats of both cricketers, adding that Sanju got benched again despite possessing a better average than Pant.

“Pant has done well at No. 4, so it is important to back him,” says @VVSLaxman281. He’s a good player out of form who’s failed in ten of his last 11 innings; Samson averages 66 in ODIs, has made runs in all his last five matches & is on the bench. Go figure. @IamSanjuSamson,” Tharoor had tweeted.