ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Adam Gilchrist kicks aside KL Rahul as he picks 'MS Dhoni-like' keeper-batter in India's squad

Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist made his picks for the keeper-batters' place in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024. He didn't pick KL Rahul in his team and instead went with Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson as two keepers for the marquee event. 

Indian players are giving their best in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This is because a spot for the T20 World Cup 2024 is up for grabs. All the attention has been on the keeper-batters as there is no clarity about who will make the cut into the team. 

The likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Sanju Samson have been at their best with the bat and the gloves. Whereas Ishan Kishan, Jitesh Sharma, and Dinesh Karthik are also not far behind. Two of them most likely are to get a ticket for the Caribbean and the United States of America. 

Among the keeper-batters, KL Rahul has racked up the most number of runs so far in the IPL. The Lucknow Super Giants skipper has scored 286 runs in seven fixtures. Sanju Samson has 276 runs and Rishabh Pant is the leading run-getter for Delhi Capitals with 210 runs to his name. 

Adam Gilchrist backed Rishabh Pant to be the first-choice keeper in India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. He highlighted how the Delhi Capitals skipper has been making valuable contributions with the bat and also won Player of the Match for his keeping against Gujarat Titans. Speaking to Cricbuzz, he explained: 

"He has been consistently getting at least starts, and a couple of nice contributions. He affected this brilliant backhand run out against RR, which was just amazing, Dhoni-like. His last match against GT, he was Man of the Match, primarily for his wicketkeeping and his captaincy is there, ended up 19* not out. So a wonderful week for him. As I say there is a lot of focus on him, lot of expectations and he has delivered." 

Adam Gilchrist further stated that he would pick Rishabh Pant in his team any day. He highlighted how the keeper-batter is keeping well and stressed that the Delhi Capitals skipper will be better with the bat as he spends more time. He added: 

"Without a doubt. If the BCCI doesn't give you one, I will pay for his ticket. I will have him in my team, definitely. I think his wicketkeeping is showing physically that he is not held back. His batting is only going to get better and better as he spends more time." 

I think Sanju Samson is probably my backup at the moment - Adam Gilchrist 

Adam Gilchrist further stated that he will be picking Sanju Samson as a backup keeper-batter in the team. He also was in awe of keeper-batters making their case strong in the IPL. He elaborated: 

"I think just that level of maturity that comes with leadership, I have him in there and I think Sanju Samson is probably my backup at the moment. What I will say is India are so well-blessed with so many talented wicketkeeper-batters." 

India is expected to announce their T20 World Cup 2024 squad in the next few weeks. It remains to be seen which keeper-batter will make the cut in the squad.