Thanks to their brilliant show in the ongoing IPL 2024, both Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant will be traveling with the India squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup to be held in the USA and the Caribbean islands. While Samson is having a memorable run both as captain and with the bat for Rajasthan Royals, Pant has made a terrific comeback after spending over a year on the sidelines to lead Delhi Capitals.
Samson has scored 486 runs from 12 matches at a strike-rate of 158.31 while batting for RR at no. 3 this season. On the other hand, Pant, who bats in the middle-order, has scored 446 runs from 13 matches at a strike-rate of 155.40.
Both the wicketkeeper-batters will be hopeful of making it to the playing XI but only one of them will get a go.
Gautam Gambhir feels that Pant has an edge over Samson since the DC captain bats in the middle-order and considering the team combination, it’s the spot where India will want their wicketkeeper to bat at the T20 World Cup.
“Both have equal quality. Sanju has amazing quality, and even Rishabh has amazing quality. If I had to pick, I’d probably pick Rishabh Pant because he is a natural middle-order batter. Sanju, if you see in IPL, he has batted at number three. Rishabh has batted at number five, six and seven I think,” Gambhir was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda.
“Looking at Team India’s combination, we need the wicketkeeper in that position and not in the top order. So I’d start with Rishabh Pant. Plus, he is a left-hander in the middle-order, which gives you a left hand-right hand combination,” he added.
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However, Gambhir feels that if India have faith in Samson’s ability as a finisher, then he can pip Pant. “But again, if they see that Sanju can score more runs at number six or seven, they could go with him as well,” Gambhir said.
Considering their similar run in IPL, is it possible for both Pant and Samson to make the cut in the playing XI?
Gambhir doesn’t think so.
“I don’t think so. I think only one out of those two will play, and whoever plays, the team management should back him. If Rishabh Pant or Sanju Samson do not perform in one or two matches, do not criticize them or say that replace them. Whoever plays, I think we should back that player,” he said.
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