Gautam Gambhir Backs Rishabh Pant Over Sanju Samson For T20 World Cup 2024

As the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, cricket enthusiasts are keenly debating whether Sanju Samson or Rishabh Pant should feature in India's playing eleven. The tournament is set to commence on June 2 in the USA and the West Indies.

Rishabh Pant, who made a comeback in IPL 2024 after a 14-month injury hiatus, has been selected as India's primary wicketkeeper-batter for the T20 World Cup. Sanju Samson secured the second wicketkeeper slot, surpassing KL Rahul in the selection process.

Both players have performed impressively in IPL 2024, creating a selection dilemma for the Indian team management. They are among the top ten highest run-scorers this season, which concludes on Sunday, May 26.

Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has expressed his preference for Pant over Samson for India's playing eleven. Gambhir highlighted Pant's experience in the middle order as a key factor in his decision.

"Both have equal quality. Sanju has amazing quality, and even Rishabh has amazing quality. If I had to pick, I'd probably pick Rishabh Pant because he is a natural middle-order batter. Sanju, if you see in IPL, he has batted at number three. Rishabh has batted at number five, six and seven I think," Gambhir told Sportskeeda.

Gambhir further elaborated on the team's combination needs: "Looking at Team India's combination, we need the wicketkeeper in that position and not in the top order. So I'd start with Rishabh Pant. Plus, he is a left-hander in the middle-order, which gives you a left hand-right hand combination," he added.

Samson, leading Rajasthan Royals (RR), has accumulated 486 runs in 12 matches with an average of 60.75 and a strike rate of 158.30. He has scored five fifties this season.

Pant, captaining Delhi Capitals (DC), has scored 446 runs with an average of 40.54 and a strike rate of 155.40. He has three fifties to his name.

The final decision on who will feature in India's playing eleven remains to be seen as both players continue to showcase their skills ahead of the T20 World Cup.