The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided on India’s wicketkeeper dilemma for the T20 World Cup 2024 which will be played in the West Indies and the United States from June 1.
All the teams participating in the mega event have to send a list of provisional squads to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by May 1. However, changes can be made till the 25th of May but once that date has passed, approval from the ICC would be required for any changes.
The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 was crucial in deciding on this dilemma as India had the likes of Dinesh Karthik, KL Rahul, and Ishan Kishan competing for the wicketkeeping spot but the Blues have decided to go with Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant following their consistent performances in the tournament, sources told ESPN Cricinfo.
The decision behind going with those two was BCCI’s choice of prioritising proven international talent over uncapped players as international exposure would be required in the World Cup.
Samson, who is leading Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL, is the frontrunner to be India’s wicketkeeper in the World Cup following his remarkable performance in the IPL 2024 so far. He has amassed 385 runs, fourth-most, in nine innings at an impressive strike rate of 161.08.
With Samson likely to be leading the race, Pant, who returned to international cricket after one and a half year following the deadly car incident, will remain his backup. The left-hander has scored 371 runs in the tournament at an impressive 160.60 striker rate in the tournament and is leading Delhi Capitals.
Remember, India is in Group A with arch-rivals Pakistan and the two sides will take on one another in one of the most anticipated matches of the World Cup on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.
Groups for T20 World Cup 2024
Group A: India, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, United States
Group B: England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland, Oman
Group C: New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New Guinea
Group D: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal