With the T20 World Cup only two months away, speculation about the Indian team's squad has already begun. Following the conclusion of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), the Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, will head to the USA and the West Indies for the T20 World Cup. The Indian selectors face a significant challenge in selecting the fifteen-member squad, particularly when it comes to the wicket-keeper slot, for which KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Jitesh Sharma, and Sanju Samson are contenders.
Brad Hogg endorses Sanju Samson
Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has endorsed Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson as the ideal choice for the wicket-keeper slot in the T20 World Cup. He ranks Sanju above Rishabh and KL Rahul, who was the wicket-keeper in the ODI World Cup 2023. Hogg praised Sanju for his leadership at RR and his impressive batting strike rate, suggesting he should be the consistent pick for the wicket-keeper role.
"I think it's going to be Sanju Samson. He has been consistent for the last couple of years. You want people with higher strike rates. Samson has been carrying Rajasthan Royals by being a captain, with his bat upfront, and he has done it consistently. Now, it's time for the Indian selectors to back him for the T20 format for a longer period of time. So, for me, it will Samson for the wicket-keeper's role in the Indian team," Hogg said on his YouTube channel,
Hogg acknowledged that while Rishabh Pant has scored fifties, he needs to show more consistency. He also mentioned that Sanju could bat in any position and could even compete with Virat Kohli for the number three spot. Kohli, meanwhile, is the highest run-scorer this season with 316 runs, including a century against Rajasthan Royals (RR).
"Rishabh Pant, he has got some fifties in this particular tournament but he needs to show some more consistency. I think Samson can bat in a variety of positions but at No. 3, he is the perfect choice as a keeper-batter. I will definitely put Samson in front of KL Rahul and Pant and I think he is also putting pressure on Virat Kohli, if Kohli is going batting at No. 3 in the T20 World Cup," Hogg added.
In their upcoming match, RR, which remains undefeated this season, will face the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans (GT) on April 10 in Jaipur. RR aims to maintain their momentum, while GT hopes to return to their winning ways after losing their last two matches.
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