Sanju Samson vs. Rishabh Pant: Who is the Better Batsman?

The debate over whether Sanju Samson or Rishabh Pant is the better batsman has been a contentious one in the cricket world, especially in the context of Twenty20 (T20) cricket. Each player brings unique skills to the table, making it challenging to determine who excels more across different formats and conditions.

The Skill Set of Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant stands out for his ability to execute a wide range of horizontal bat shots, especially off both sides of the wicket. This skill proves particularly effective on non-bouncy pitches, where he can connect with the ball and play invaluable shots. However, his limitations become apparent in more challenging conditions.

Sanju Samson's Strengths and Limitations

Sanju Samson, on the other hand, has the temperament and skill to hit long straight sixes and adapt to the team's needs. He is more consistent in his form, particularly in One Day Internationals (ODIs), where his ability to clear the boundary line with power shots is evident. However, he faces some common issues, such as being a poor runner between the wickets and hitting the ball into the fielders' hands instead of gaps.

Performance and Batting Style

Both players have experienced challenges in big grounds, such as the recent T20 World Cup played on international grounds. Sanju Samson's big innings, particularly his1 against Ireland during the T20 World Cup, showed promise but also highlighted issues with strike rate. In the match where Deepak Hooda achieved a century, Samson managed only 60 runs, suggesting that even on smaller grounds, he struggles to maintain a high strike rate consistently.

Overrations and Preferences

Despite their similarities, there are significant differences that separate the two players. While Rishabh Pant is considerably overrated in T20 cricket, Sanju Samson's talents are better suited for ODI matches. The perceived limitations of both players, such as being poor runners between the wickets and facing issues with strike rate, cannot be ignored.

Conclusion

While Rishabh Pant has shown his value in Test cricket, his performance in T20 matches is often underwhelming. On the other hand, Sanju Samson is a more dependable and consistent player, especially in ODIs, where his ability to hit the ball with power and precision stands out.

It is a crime not to give Sanju Samson a fair chance in T20 cricket, given his proven abilities in other formats. The debate over who is the better batsman may continue, but the facts speak for themselves.