Sanju Samson shares a heartfelt message for Rishabh Pant on his Instagram story

Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant survived a life-threatening accident on Friday while traveling from Delhi to Roorkee. Pant was driving a Mercedes which hit a divider after he dozed off while driving and caught fire. The cricketer was rescued by a Haryana Roadways Bus driver and conductor who pulled him out of the car and called the ambulance. Ever since the horrific incident came to light, the entire cricketing fraternity has sent their wishes to the star cricketer praying for his speedy recovery.

Among the many wishes that Pant got, there was one from his competitor for the wicketkeeper batter slot in the Indian team, Sanju Samson. The latter took to his Instagram account and posted a picture on his story with Rishabh Pant and wrote, ‘Everything will be fine soon brother.’

The battle between Pant and Samson for a place in the team for limited-overs formats

There have been widespread talks of favoritism running in the Indian Cricket Team as Pant has been given chances regularly despite his repeated failures in the limited overs format while Samson has warmed the bench on most occasions.

The southpaw has failed to cement his place in the T20I team even after playing 56 innings. He has scored 987 runs at an average of 22.43 and a strike rate of 126.37 with three half-centuries to his name. On the other hand, Samson has just played 16 T20Is even after making his debut in 2015(two years earlier than Pant). Samson has scored 296 runs in the shortest format of international cricket at an average of 21.14 and a strike rate of 135.15.

Pant has an improved record in ODIs having scored 865 runs in 26 innings at an average of 34.60 and a strike rate of 106.65. While Samson has played 10 ODIs after making his debut in 2021 scoring 330 runs at an average of 66 and a strike rate of 104.

Meanwhile, Pant’s MRI of the Brain and Spinal Cord have returned normal. A medical bulletin issued by the Indian Cricket Board in coordination with the Max Hospital doctors stated, “Pant has suffered two cuts on his forehead, a ligament tear in his right knee along with injuries on his right wrist, ankle, toe and back.”

As per reports, the Delhi batter is expected to stay out of action for a minimum of six months. Pant’s injury might finally give Samson a much-deserved longer run in the Indian team.