T20 World Cup 2024: Kumar Sangakkara mentions Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid as he settles Sanju Samson vs Rishabh Pant debate

Rajasthan Royals' skipper Sanju Samson has been in sensational form in the ongoing IPL 2024. Having been impressed with Samson’s exceptional batting prowess this season, Kumar Sangakkara, RR’s Director of Cricket, said that the keeper's outstanding performance warrants him the role of India's primary wicketkeeper in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Samson has been selected alongside Rishabh Pant in India's 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. However, Sangakkara backed Samson to be the Men in Blue’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the mega event, considering the RR skipper’s consistency, keeping, and leadership.

The RR skipper and wicketkeeper-batter is currently the third-highest run-scorer in the ongoing IPL 2024, with 471 runs from 11 matches and an impressive average of 67 in the tournament so far. He has already smashed five half-centuries in the tournament and has been leading the RR from the front.

Kumar Sangakkara backs Sanju Samson over Rishabh Pant for India's wicketkeeper role in T20 World Cup 2024

While both Samson and Pant have shown their batting prowess in the ongoing IPL 2024, Sangakkara believes that the RR skipper is currently leading the race for the wicketkeeper-batter’s role for India at the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, starting on June 1 in the USA and Caribbean.

However, the Sri Lankan legend downplays the Pant versus Samson debate but reckons that the RR skipper’s consistent performance and leadership qualities make him a strong contender for the wicketkeeper-batter’s role in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. He also hopes Samson will get a long run at the T20 World Cup 2024.

As reported by Hindustan Times, Kumar Sangakkara said at the post-match press conference after the DC vs RR IPL 2024 clash in Delhi: “It's really up to Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma and how they see the combination. But he has made his case, so hopefully he'll have a good run in the World Cup.”

He's a special player: Sangakkara on Samson

Meanwhile, Pant has received praise for his wicketkeeping skills and batting performance in the ongoing IPL 2024, following his recovery from a car crash in December 2022. The Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper has so far amassed 413 runs from 12 matches in the tournament.

However, Sangakkara highlighted Sanju Samson's clear approach and lauded his efforts in addressing past weaknesses, saying the Indian star can do anything with a changed mindset now. Notably, Samson is currently the third-highest scorer in the ongoing IPL 2024, trailing only behind Virat Kohli (542 runs) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (541 runs).

Sangakkara noted, “With Sanju, the biggest thing about this season for him is having a lot of clarity about the way he should bat. There are certain stages of the game that he seems to lose a bit of concentration, which we've addressed from past seasons.

He's changed his mindset about the importance of rest and recovery, rather than just training all the time and being tired mentally and physically. He's a special player and when he's fresh and focused there's nothing he can't do.”

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