T20 World Cup 2024: Sanju Samson Becomes India’s First-choice Wicketkeeper; KL Rahul is Dropped – Report

As the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season nears its end, the focus has shifted to selecting India’s T20 World Cup squad. Following the IPL, India will take part in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 to be held in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA) in June.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to announce India’s 15-player squad for the 20-over competition. The deadline is set for May 1st. Ahead of the T20 World Cup squad announcement, India’s first squad is being debated. Choice of wicketkeeper-batter and backup option.

Sanju Samson has been in outstanding form for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing IPL 2024. The RR captain has impressed in both batting and wicketkeeping. Samson is competing with Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul for Team India’s wicketkeeper-batter slot for the prestigious tournament.

Sanju Samson is probably the first choice wicketkeeper

According to an ESPNCricinfo report, Sanju Samson is likely to be the first choice wicketkeeper. The selectors are expected to prefer Samson over Pant due to his superior anti-spin skills. Jitesh Sharma’s form and KL Rahul’s batting power at the top of the order have supported Samson’s candidacy.

“However, the IPL served to prove the fitness of Rishabh Pant, who has been unable to play cricket since his horrific car accident in December 2022. However, Sanju Samson is likely to be the first choice wicketkeeper as India need a spin hitter to pair with their top three who tend to get stuck against spin. Also, Jitesh Sharma’s form wasn’t great and KL Rahul struggled at the top Order that is already overfilled,” says a report by ESPNCricinfo.

Sanju Samson made his debut for India in the T20Is in July 2015 against Zimbabwe. The right-handed batsman has scored 374 runs in 25 T20I matches at an average of 18.7 and a strike rate of 133.1. The Kerala-born cricketer has not represented the Indian national cricket team at any ICC event so far.

Sanju Samson’s performance in IPL 2024

Sanju Samson, who plays at No. 3 for Rajasthan Royals, has scored 385 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 77 and a strike rate of 161.08, including four half-centuries. Samson is ranked fourth in the batting list, behind Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sai Sudharsan.

Rahul is the fifth highest run-scorer and scored 378 runs at an average of 42.00 and a strike rate of around 144, including four fifties. Pant is ranked sixth and scored 371 runs in 10 matches at an average of 46.37 and a strike rate of 160.60, including three fifties, with his highest score being 88*.

India’s likely squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024