Sanju Samson poised to replace Rishabh Pant as India's ODI wicketkeeper amid selector's World Cup planning

Key facts

• Rishabh Pant has scored 189 runs in eight IPL 2026 matches for Lucknow Super Giants at an average of 27.
• Sanju Samson has scored 304 runs in eight IPL matches for Chennai Super Kings, including two centuries.
• Samson's ODI average is 56.67 from 16 matches (510 runs, one century, three fifties).
• Pant's ODI average is 33 from 31 matches (871 runs).
• India's next ODI series is against Afghanistan starting June 14, 2026.
• India will play 20 ODIs before the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
• Dhruv Jurel replaced Pant in the ODI squad during the New Zealand series in January 2026 due to injury.

Pant's white-ball slump opens door for Samson

Rishabh Pant's prolonged struggle in white-ball cricket has pushed the Lucknow Super Giants captain to the brink of being dropped from India's ODI setup. The wicketkeeper-batter has managed only 189 runs in eight innings during IPL 2026, averaging 27 with a single half-century. His form has been a concern for selectors as India prepares for a packed ODI schedule leading to the 2027 World Cup. in Dainik Jagran, Sanju Samson has leapfrogged Pant as the second-choice wicketkeeper behind KL Rahul. The 31-year-old Kerala batter has been in scintillating form, scoring 304 runs in eight IPL matches for Chennai Super Kings, including two centuries. Samson was also named Player of the Tournament in India's T20 World Cup-winning campaign.

Selectors prioritize World Cup planning

Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are firmly focused on the 2027 World Cup, with India set to play 20 ODIs in the lead-up to the tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The next ODI series against Afghanistan begins on June 14, making the current IPL a critical audition for players. Samson's consistent performances in T20Is and the IPL, combined with his solid wicketkeeping, have worked in his favor. He last played an ODI for India in 2023, scoring a century against South Africa. Across 16 ODIs, he has accumulated 510 runs at an average of 56.67, with one hundred and three fifties.

Pant's ODI absence and injury woes

Pant has not played an ODI since 2024, despite being in the squad for the South Africa and New Zealand series. He sat out the entire South Africa series and was injured before the New Zealand series, where Dhruv Jurel replaced him. Jurel remains a contender for the wicketkeeper role, along with Ishan Kishan, who has scored a double century in ODIs and is enjoying a breakthrough year. However, Samson is currently the frontrunner. The selectors are impressed by his stunning form in the T20 World Cup and the ongoing IPL, where he has already smashed two centuries for Chennai Super Kings in his debut season with the franchise.

Samson's ODI record outshines Pant's

A comparison of the two wicketkeeper-batters' ODI statistics reveals a clear gap. Pant has played 31 ODIs, scoring 871 runs at an average of 33. Samson, in 16 ODIs, averages 56.67 with 510 runs. While Pant has been a mainstay in Test cricket, his white-ball form has been out of sorts for the past couple of years. Samson's average of 56.67 is among the best for Indian wicketkeepers in ODIs, and his ability to score quickly has made him a valuable asset. The selectors believe his inclusion could strengthen the middle order as India builds towards the World Cup.

Other contenders and the road ahead

While Samson leads the race, Ishan Kishan and Dhruv Jurel remain in contention. Kishan has played 27 ODIs and scored a double century, while Jurel impressed during the New Zealand series. However, Samson's consistent performances in both T20Is and the IPL have given him an edge. India's ODI schedule will intensify after the Afghanistan series, with the 2027 World Cup as the ultimate goal. The selectors are likely to experiment with the squad in the coming months to find the right combination. Pant's place in Test cricket remains secure, but his white-ball future hangs in the balance.

A changing of the guard in Indian cricket

The potential replacement of Pant by Samson signals a shift in India's white-ball strategy. With KL Rahul established as the first-choice wicketkeeper, the team is looking for a reliable backup who can contribute with the bat. Samson's recent form suggests he could be that player. For Pant, the road back to the ODI team will require a significant turnaround in form. The IPL has often been a platform for comebacks, but with only a few matches left this season, time is running out. The selectors' decision will be closely watched as India begins its World Cup preparations.

The bottom line

• Sanju Samson is the frontrunner to replace Rishabh Pant as India's second-choice ODI wicketkeeper.
• Pant's poor form in IPL 2026 (189 runs in 8 matches) has cost him his place in the white-ball setup.
• Samson has scored two centuries for Chennai Super Kings this IPL season and averages 56.67 in ODIs.
• India's selectors are building towards the 2027 World Cup, with 20 ODIs scheduled before the tournament.
• Dhruv Jurel and Ishan Kishan remain contenders, but Samson's consistent performances give him an edge.
• Pant's Test career remains unaffected, but his white-ball future is uncertain.