T20 World Cup: With Pant almost certain to seal his spot, the battle intensifies between Rahul & Samson

The squad announcement for the upcoming T20 World Cup is just around the corner and many cricket experts are coming up with their own choice of players who they think should be part of India's World Cup squad. The toughest decision for the selector to make this time will be around the wicket-keepers as there are many high-profile players available for the selection. But as the maximum number of players to be selected for a World Cup squad is 15, It is expected that only 2 wicket-keepers will board that flight to the World Cup.

Rishabh Pant, who made a return to the cricket field in this IPL after a horrible car accident 16 months ago, has been scintillating with the bat and behind the stumps in the ongoing tournament.

The Delhi Capitals skipper has amassed 371 runs so far in 10 innings at an outstanding strike-rate of 160.61 and has taken 11 catches. He has also enforced three stumpings and with this performance, It is almost certain that he will be named in the T20 World Cup squad.

Now, many other wicket-keepers were in contention to be named in India's World Cup squad before the IPL such as Ishan Kishan, Jitesh Sharma, Sanju Samson and KL Rahul but Ishan Kishan and Jitesh Sharma haven't performed as per the expectations in the IPL 2024 and the focus now shift to Sanju Samson and KL Rahul. Both these cricketers have been in fine form and they are also leading their respective teams in the IPL.

Sanju Samson has been in the form of his life in the ongoing tournament and has scored 385 runs in 9 innings at an outstanding average of 77. The Rajasthan Royals skipper has scored 4 half-centuries and he has been scoring these runs at a fantastic strike rate of 161.09. It is also worth noting that Samson has remained not out 4 times out of these 9 innings which means he has been able to take his team over the line on these occasions.

KL Rahul, on the other hand, who is the captain of Lucknow Super Giants has scored 378 runs from 9 innings at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 144.21. Rahul has scored 3 half-centuries in the ongoing tournament.

Looking at the stats of both these wicket-keepers, It will be very difficult for the selectors to pick and choose between both these players but looking at the current form and ability to finish the games, Sanju Samson is likely to have an edge.

BCCI is expected to announce the Team India squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in a couple of days as the deadline for the same is May 1, 2024.

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