NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer
Navjot Singh Sidhu
has thrown his weight behind
Sanju Samson
, tipping him as the preferred choice over
KL Rahul
and
Rishabh Pant
for the wicketkeeper role in the upcoming
T20 World Cup squad
.
Following an electrifying clash between the Lucknow Super Giants and the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024, where both Samson and Rahul showcased their batting prowess, Sidhu expressed his views on the wicketkeeper selection dilemma in a conversation with Star Sports.
With Sanju Samson's breathtaking unbeaten 71 off 33 balls stealing the spotlight and KL Rahul's impressive 76 off 48 balls underlining his versatility, the competition for the wicket-keeper position has intensified. However, Sidhu emphasized Samson's exceptional form as the decisive factor in the selection process.
"No. 1 is Sanju Samson, on form. This is a different Samson," Sidhu declared, recognizing the Rajasthan Royals captain's scintillating performance in the IPL.
While acknowledging KL Rahul's ability to offer flexibility with his batting, Sidhu reiterated his preference for Samson, citing his current form as a compelling reason for his inclusion in the squad.
"If India finds themselves in situations where they need a spare opener or No. 4 batter or at No. 6, then you have KL Rahul, who is also in form. But I will still prefer Samson, followed by Rishabh Pant," Sidhu elaborated.
Furthermore, Sidhu extended his considerations to
Ishan Kishan
, the Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper, suggesting that had the BCCI not penalized him for skipping domestic games during his absence from international duty, he would have been a strong contender for the wicketkeeper role.
As the anticipation mounts ahead of the T20 World Cup squad announcement, Sidhu's insights underscore the significance of form and performance in shaping the final lineup, with Sanju Samson emerging as the frontrunner in the battle for the wicketkeeper position.
English (US) ·