T20 World Cup 2024: Parthiv Patel's Verdict On India's Wicketkeeper-Batter

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has shared his thoughts on the Indian playing XI for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

The Indian team has announced their final squad for the ICC tournament, scheduled to be held from June 1 in the West Indies and USA. The selectors have named a strong team, marking the return of Rishabh Pant.

Pant, who hasn't played for India since December 2022, has been included. Another player selected as a wicketkeeper-batter is Sanju Samson. Following his excellent form in IPL 2024, the Kerala-born player aims to replicate that performance for India in the upcoming tournament.

Despite Samson's decent form, there are debates about his place in the starting lineup. Former players and experts are divided on this selection, with some supporting Samson and others favouring Pant's abilities.

Recently, Parthiv Patel disclosed his preference for India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batter for the T20 World Cup.

"There is no doubt about Sanju Samson given how he has led and scored runs this season. But Rishabh Pant offers a different kind of variety. In the Indian batting lineup, we need one left-hander in between. At this point, Rishabh Pant looks like the favourite but both are very capable players," Patel said at an event in Delhi.

Samson has been a prolific run-getter this season. The Rajasthan Royals captain has amassed 521 runs at an average of 52.1 and a strike rate of 155. Conversely, Rishabh Pant, who led Delhi Capitals, ended the season with 446 runs at an average of 40 and a similar strike rate of 155.

Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya (vc), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Travelling Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan.