T20 World Cup 2024: Kevin Pietersen announces India's wicketkeeper among Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul

Kevin Pietersen, who is commentating for Star Sports in their IPL 2024 coverage, picked Sanju Samson as his 1st choice wicket-keeper for India's ICC T20 World Cup 2024 squad. The underrated wicket-keeper batsman, who is captaining the Rajasthan Royals for the 4th edition in a row, has had a tremendous season so far.

Sanju Samson has done so well as the leader of the pact that his side is currently on top of the IPL 2024 points table with 16 points to their name from 9 matches. RR have lost only one game this year against the Gujarat Titans by 3 wickets on 10th April. 

Sanju Samson's IPL 2024 season so far 

Sanju Samson is not only experiencing a successful IPL 2024 season as captain but he is also doing very well with the bat from the top-order.

Out of the other 2 possible wicket-keeping options of India for the T20 World Cup 2024 - KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, Samson is the one with the most runs. The right-hander is also averaging better than the LSG and DC captains.

If we talk about Sanju Samson's captaincy, then it has been nothing short of exceptional. Yes, he has a good coaching staff behind him, which is led by Kumar Sangakkara, who has accumulated a very good team around Sanju's leadership.

But forming a core group of players isn't enough as player management on the field becomes very important. That's where Sanju Samson has well and truly excelled. The 29-year-old has been very smart with his bowling changes and fielding tactics.

He also seems to have helped the youngsters, veterans, and newcomers in the team gel up with each other easily. In short, Sanju has gained the trust of his players, and the positive enthusiasm inside the RR dressing room is reflected on the field. 

As for his batting performance, Sanju Samson has already surpassed the amount of runs he scored last season. He is delivering for the team whenever required. The Kerala-based cricketer has been specifically crucial in run-chases as he displayed last night against the Lucknow Super Giants. 

Reliable in the top-order 

Samson played out a knock of 71 off just 33 at a daunting 215.15 strike rate and stayed in the crease until the winning runs were scored. His partnership with Dhruv Jurel, another wicket-keeper, for the 4th wicket was just sensational.

The duo had put together 121 runs for the 4th wicket, taking the Royals from 78/3 to 199/3 as the table toppers stretched their lead in the points table. 

Sanju Samson was also adjudged as man of the match and he took his run-scoring tally to 385 runs. He has a season strike rate of 161.09 at a brilliant average of 77.00 with 5 half-centuries and a best of 82* in RR's season opener against LSG.

And thus if he is still not picked for India's ICC T20 World Cup 2024 squad, then only god knows what else he should be doing. 

Kevin Pietersen says Sanju has to take the flight to USA and West Indies

While speaking to Star Sports last night, Kevin Pietersen claimed that Sanju Samson has to be on the flight for USA and West Indies for the World Cup. KP claimed that he has no doubt regarding Sanju's capability and that if he was the selector, then the RR captain would have been his 1st choice keeper batsman. 

"He has to go. There’s no doubt in my mind that he has to be on that aeroplane to the Caribbean and the USA in a couple of weeks. He is doing a lot with the pressure that he is also under as a captain and not being given higher honours. The way he scores runs and the situation he bats in, if I was the selector, he is one of my first picks." - Kevin Pietersen said via Star Sports.