T20 World Cup 2024: Sanju Samson ignored as selectors pick two wicketkeepers in WC squad - Report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly finalized two wicketkeeper-batters for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, set to take place in the West Indies and the USA. Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson and Mumbai Indians (MI) Ishan Kishan are ignored by selectors.

BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar will meet with Indian captain Rohit Sharma after the match between the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Agarkar and Rohit will discuss the preliminary squad for the 2024 World Cup. The official announcement on the squad will be made on May 1.

Several players, including Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj, have performed poorly in the IPL 2024. Rinku Singh has lacked game time, while concerns exist over Virat Kohli's strike rate. Shubman Gill's selection remains uncertain given the abundance of top-order options.

Rishabh Pant And KL Rahul Are Likely To Get Selected - Report

There's a debate over who will be India's first-choice wicketkeeper and backup among Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Dinesh Karthik. The selectors face a challenge in picking two wicketkeepers, given that all four players have delivered impressive performances in the tournament.

Rishabh Pant is likely to be the first-choice wicketkeeper batter for India's squad at the upcoming T20 World Cup, according to news agency ANI. KL Rahul is picked ahead of Sanju Samson for the backup wicketkeeper role. All-rounder Shivam Dube is also likely to be included in the squad.

“Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are likely to get selected for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 squad as wicketkeepers. Shivam Dube is also likely to get picked in the squad,” a BCCI selection committee source told ANI.

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant has been in outstanding form during the IPL 2024. The left-handed batter has scored 371 runs in 10 matches at an average of 46.38 and an impressive strike rate of 160.60. Pant is fourth in the race for the Orange Cap in the 17th edition of the IPL.

KL Rahul, leading the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), has performed remarkably well. The right-handed batter has scored 378 runs in nine matches at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 144.27. The opener is the third-highest run scorer in the ongoing season, behind Virat Kohli and Sanju Samson.

Sanju Samson has emerged as the top performer for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024. The Rajasthan skipper has amassed 385 runs at an impressive average of 77 and a strike rate of 161.09. Rajasthan has won eight out of nine games, leading the points table with 16 points and an NRR of 0.69.

Shivam Dube has scored 311 runs in eight matches at an average of 51.83 and a remarkable strike rate of 169.94. The left-handed batter has hit three half-centuries, with the highest score of 66. Dube is the second-highest scorer for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), just behind Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: KL Rahul, Sanju Samson snubbed, uncapped RCB Pacer selected in India's WC squad picked by Zaheer Khan