Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim believes Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan don’t have the X factor which Rishabh Pant possesses.

After the retirement of the legendary MSDhoni, Pant has established himself as India’s leading wicketkeeper-batter in Test cricket and ODIs while he is competing for a spot with Dinesh Karthik in the shortest format.

On the other hand, Samson and Kishan are yet to make a mark at the highest level. Both of them are currently playing the ODI series against South Africa at home as Pant has travelled to Australia with the national team for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

“I would put Rishabh Pant ahead of Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. I don’t see the X factor in these two that Rishabh Pant has. Samson is a wonderful stroke player and can retain his side in the team as a batter. Ishan Kishan hasn’t made the most of his chances, which is why he has fallen down the pecking order. With that said, Pant would be my first choice in both white-ball and red-ball cricket," Karim told India News.

According to him, selectors are looking at Samson and Kishan as pure batters only.

“Selectors aren’t looking at all these players as keeper-batters. They consider them pure batters and it is an added bonus if you are also able to keep wickets. Sanju Samson’s return to the main team will happen as a batter, not as a wicketkeeper," he added.

Saba Karim further lauded Sanju Samson for his consistent performances for the Indian team this year.

“Sanju Samson has performed well whenever he has had an opportunity recently. The consistency has been quite good and we have seen a big improvement after this year’s IPL," Karim said.