In the ninth match of the IPL 2024, the Rajasthan Royals will face the Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday (March 28).

RR and DC have met each other 27 times, and Rajasthan got a slight edge over DC as the former won the duel 14 times while their rival did it on 13 occasions. Last time they met in the IPL 2023, RR emerged victorious by 57 runs.

In IPL 2024, both teams will be led by two young wicketkeeper-batters. Sanju Samson will lead the Rajasthan side, while Rishabh Pant will captain the DC squad. As the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to take place in the West Indies and USA, just after the IPL 2024, this season of the

IPL will be a litmus test for both of them to be chosen as the first choice wicketkeeper for team India. There will be some other suitors for the position, like KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and others. Keeping in mind their recent forms and fitness, the battle for selection should come down between these two skippers.

Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant Batting Comparison

Sanju Samson: In 2013, after his debut in the IPL, Samson played 153 matches and scored 3970 runs with an average of 29.85. Since 2021, he has been the captain of the Rajasthan side. In the last IPL, the 28-year-old has delivered a decent show with 362 runs in 14 matches and an impressive strike rate of 153.39. Samson has scored 3 centuries and 21 fifties in his IPL career.

In the T20 International, Samson played 25 matches and scored 374 runs. His ability to hit big shots is evident from his stats. Samson hit 188 sixes in IPL and 15 sixes in the T20I. In the last match against LSG, he played an impressive innings of 82 runs just on 52 balls, hitting 6 sixes and three boundaries on his way.

Rishabh Pant: The 27-year-old wicketkeeper made his IPL debut in 2016. In his IPL career, he played 99 matches and has scored 2856 runs, with an average of 34.41. He also made 1 century and 15 half-centuries on the way. He missed the last IPL due to a severe injury, but in 2022, he had a decent season with 340 runs in 14 matches.

In T20I, Pant played 64 matches and scored 987 runs. He is also a big-hitter and has hit 129 sixes in his IPL career maintaining a staggering strike rate of 147.9.

Sanju Samson vs Rishabh Pant: Who has the Advantage?

Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant, both have some issues with consistency, but in recent times, the latter has shown signs of overcoming the issue. Sanju has more experience in the IPL, but Pant got better exposure in international cricket. As both have unique abilities and expertise, choosing between these two youngsters will be 'in a pickle’ situation.

Pant was having an outstanding 2022 and then faced an unfortunate accident. As he has come back to the competitive front after such a long time, the onus will be on the southpaw to show his authority. Samson is someone who has shown his mettle repeatedly and has come up with the goods, but consistency will be key.