Sanju Samson confirmed to debut for India in T20 World Cup 2024 vs Bangladesh in place of this player

The Indian cricket team is aiming to secure their spot in the semifinals of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with a win over Bangladesh in a crucial Super-8 encounter at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Saturday, June 22.

Riding high on an unbeaten streak, winning three group stage matches, and delivering a commanding performance against Afghanistan in their first Super-8 fixture in Barbados, Team India would love to continue their winning streak in their crucial clash with the Bangladesh cricket team in Antigua.

India gears up with optional training session ahead of Bangladesh face-off in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024

As a win over Bangladesh will take the Men in Blue to the semifinals of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, they opted for an optional training session on Friday, June 21, at the match venue, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, despite a tight schedule with minimal recovery time between Super-8 matches.

While several regular players of India’s XI opted to rest, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—both openers struggling to give a firing start to Team India in the ongoing mega ICC event—were seen hitting the nets to regain their form in the crucial phase of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

Rohit and Kohli were joined by Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, and reserve bowler Khaleel Ahmed at the optional training session. Indian head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour supervised the team’s training session ahead of their crucial showdown against Bangladesh in Antigua.

Meanwhile, Samson’s presence at the optional training session hints at him getting his first match in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Actually, in a surprising turn of events ahead of India’s crucial Super-8 clash against Bangladesh, Samson shared the nets with Rohit at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Sanju Samson batted with Rohit Sharma at the nets, as India contemplates changes in Playing XI

According to RevSportz, Samson teamed up with Rohit during a rigorous practice session that lasted nearly two hours in Antigua. Additionally, Samson batted with Rohit on the same net during their practice session on Friday. The report further suggested that the Indian wicketkeeper-batter showcased his skills at the nets under the watchful eyes of Dravid and Rohit.

The coach and captain also engaged in a long conversation with Samson after the practice, which hinted at the Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper’s inclusion in India’s playing XI against Bangladesh in their crucial Super-8 match.

Now, speculations are rife that the Indian team is pondering including Samson in the playing XI to provide the firepower needed to dominate in the knockouts of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, with the openers already struggling for runs.

Well, Shivam Dube could be the option to be dropped to accommodate Samson in India's playing XI after his series of underwhelming performances in the tournament. Across four games, Dube has managed just 44 runs at a strike rate of 83.

However, if the Indian team management decides to go with Samson in the Super-8 match against Bangladesh, this decision will reduce their one left-handed batting option, and they will also be fielding one less all-rounder.