Overview
- Selectors, according to Thursday reports citing Dainik Jagran, are weighing Samson over Pant for the No. 2 ODI wicketkeeper role.
- KL Rahul remains India’s first-choice ODI wicketkeeper, so the discussion centers on the reserve spot.
- Samson’s case rests on hot 2026 form, including 304 IPL runs in eight games at a 169.83 strike rate with two hundreds after a strong T20 World Cup.
- Pant’s grip has loosened due to modest IPL returns — 189 runs in eight matches at about a 126 strike rate — and no ODI appearance since 2024 because of injuries.
- The June 14 home ODIs against Afghanistan loom as a likely audition as head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar shape a core for the 2027 World Cup, with Dhruv Jurel and Ishan Kishan also in the mix.