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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul has established himself as the frontrunner for the second wicketkeeper-batter slot ahead of Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson for the T20 World Cup 2024.
As per a report by PTI, Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Rishabh Pant almost cemented his wicketkeeper-batter spot with a fiery 88-run knock against Gujarat Titans (GT). Ahead of the 15-member T20 World Cup 2024 squad selection, there are a few tough choices the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has to make.
What numbers say in Sanju vs Rahul debate
Leading table-toppers RR, Samson is in the orange cap race with 314 runs from eight games at an average of 62.80 including three half-centuries. His strike rate of 152.43 is at par as well. Meanwhile, Rahul who has 302 runs from eight games at an average of 37.75 and strike rate of 141.12 has turned out to be the backup wicketkeeper-batter.
Notably, Rahul has not played a T20I since T20 World Cup 2022. Conversely, Samson was a part of India’s T20I squad against Afghanistan earlier this year. It was also India’s last T20I series before the T20 World Cup 2024.
Despite current form, Samson's T20 record on the international stage may have went against him. He has scored 374 runs from 22 innings at an average of 18.70 including just one half-century. On the other hand, Rahul has had a good run in the Caribbean conditions. He has two centuries and 22 fifties to his name in the format.
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Pandya’s batting form a worry
India's all-format skipper Rohit Sharma is expected to meet Agarkar later this week to finalise the names for the big event as May 1 is the deadline set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to announce the final squad.
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya's form with the bat is a reason for concern as well. As Pandya has not enough runs to his name in this IPL season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) big-hitter Shivam Dube's name has emerged. However, Dube hasn't bowled which is the main concern as India need a pace-bowling all-rounder.
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Another dilemma for selectors
In addition, the selectors are looking for the perfect candidate to fit in as the extra bowler on the flight. So far, the five bowlers who are expected to board the flight for the USA are Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. While Bumrah and Kuldeep have been in brilliant form, others are yet to prove their mettle.
The three options India have for the extra bowler are leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, pacer Avesh Khan and spin all-rounder Axar Patel. Axar has seven wickets from nine games but his economy rate of 7.06 runs per over is exceptional. He also scored his first half-century of the season against Gujarat Titans (GT) on April 24. LSG's Bishnoi doesn't have many wickets under his belt. He has five wickets from eight games. However, earlier this year, he became the no.1 T20I bowler. Avesh has eight wickets from as many matches but his economy rate of 9.42 runs per over isn’t adequate.
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