As the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, the former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has opened up about his choice for the wicketkeeper-batter’s role for the India National Cricket Team at the upcoming global event, which is set to be co-hosted by the USA and Caribbean.
Indian selectors have picked both Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant and Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson as wicketkeepers for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, where the Men in Blue will kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York.
Sanju and Pant both offer unique strengths, and the Indian cricket team management will need to make strategic decisions to make the most of their skills in the mega ICC tournament.
Harbhajan Singh opines on India’s wicketkeeper-batter choice for ICC T20 World Cup 2024
With Samson’s consistent performances in the ongoing IPL 2024 and Pant’s proven abilities, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid will have a headache choosing between them in the XI.
Well, to ease their headache, Harbhajan Singh praised Pant for his inspirational return to competitive cricket in the IPL 2024 following a horrific car accident in December 2022. Pant, known for his explosive batting and proficient wicketkeeping, showed his great fitness and skill during the tournament.
The DC star amassed 446 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of over 155 this season. However, the commentator Harbhajan stressed that Samson deserves a chance ahead of Pant in the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.
The former World Cup winner acknowledged Pant’s successful comeback in the IPL 2024, but he believes that Samson’s consistent performances for the RR warrant his inclusion in the playing XI for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
He mentioned that Samson, unlike earlier in his career, when he would often get out in the 30s and 40s, is now consistently scoring 60s and 70s and showing maturity in his gameplay, so he should get a chance ahead of Pant in the tournament.
He is not the old Sanju Samson anymore: Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan stressed that there has been no rush in bringing Pant back into Team India, which has allowed him to fully recover and showcase his talent. He also hopes Pant will do something special for the Men in Blue, but still, he wants to see Samson get an opportunity on the big stage, given his form and impact in the IPL 2024.
Notably, Sanju has so far scored 504 runs in 13 games at an impressive average of 56 and a strike rate of 156, helping RR qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. RR will face RCB in the Eliminator in Chennai on May 22.
Harbhajan Singh was quoted as saying by ANI: “Rishabh Pant played well in the IPL. He has come out of his injuries. He looked fit, batted well and did some nice wicketkeeping. But Sanju played really well. I would like to see him get a chance. He has been performing consistently.
He has been scoring 60s and 70s and is not the old Sanju anymore who would score just 30s and 40s. But there has been no hurry in bringing Pant back, he worked really hard. I hope he does something special for India.”
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