Suresh Raina backs Sanju Samson over KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Jitesh Sharma for T20 World Cup 2024

Add as a preferred source on Google

Suresh Raina has backed Sanju Samson for the wicketkeeper-batter slot for the T20 World Cup 2024 which is scheduled to start in West Indies from June 1.

Sanju Samson has found his way back in the India T20I squad with the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan starting Thursday, January 11 in Mohali. Samson and Jitesh Sharma have been named in the 16-member squad as the two wicketkeeper-batter.

Samson was ignored for the Australia and the South Africa T20Is after the World Cup 2023, but has made a timely comeback in a year which would host the T20 World Cup 2024.

Suresh Raina has praised Sanju Samson ahead of the first T20I, picking him ahead of KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan and Jitesh Sharma for the wicketkeeper-batter's slot for the T20 World Cup 2024. Raina said that he would back Samson as he plays excellent pick-up shots which can help India in the middle-order.

"I feel there will be tough competition for the wicketkeeping slot. Rishabh Pant will become fit, KL Rahul will return, Samson and Jitesh are already there, Ishan Kishan is also there. That position will become very important," Suresh Raina told JioCinema.

"You cannot write off Samson after the hundred he scored in the ODI match against South Africa. He is a fearless batter, a good wicketkeeper and a captaincy material. He has always performed every time he is given an opportunity.

"Then there is Jitesh Sharma, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan. There will be a big call. But I would prefer Samson because in the middle overs, he plays excellent pick-up shots. I guess IPL will also play a crucial role in the selection process but the Afghanistan series would be a big opportunity for him. He could be the X-factor for India in the World Cup," he added.

Notably, Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul have not been picked in the Indian squad for the Afghanistan T20Is. Rishabh Pant, who suffered a horrific car accident in December 2022, is on the road to recovery and expected to make his comeback with the IPL 2024.

India head coach Rahul Dravid on Wednesday said that IPL 2024 performances would play a role in the selection of players in the India squad for T20 World Cup 2024. The three T20Is matches are India's last assignment in the format before heading into the ICC marquee event which will be played in the West Indies and the ICC.