T20 World Cup 2024: How Sanju Samson flexed his muscles in front of KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan to secure a spot?

Add as a preferred source on Google

T20 World Cup 2024: The Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 was announced on Tuesday (April 30), and Sanju Samson found a place as the second wicketkeeper-batter ahead of KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan.

The selectors had no doubt whatsoever before naming Rishabh Pant the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. There was a stiff competition for the spot, and arguably Pant was the very last in the race ahead of the IPL 2024.

But Pant shunned all the doubts after making a grand comeback from his long injury layoff. The southpaw, who survived a fatal car accident in December 2022, showed the same old flair as he took on the bowlers in his own unorthodox fashion.

Once his place was certain for the T20 World Cup 2024, it boiled down to a competition between KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan. Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper-batter Kishan showed inconsistency and fell behind in the race. However, Samson and Rahul got into an intense battle.

On April 27, Samson delivered the knockout punch right in front of KL Rahul to take a massive lead, and finally get into the World Cup squad for the first time in his nine-year-old international career. In fact, the Kerala batter flexed his muscles thrice in front of KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan.

Sanju Samson's unbeaten 82 vs LSG: In his first match of the IPL 2024, Sanju Samson came out all guns blazing and scored unbeaten 82 off 52 against KL Rahul's Lucknow Super Giants. The innings consisted of three fours and six sixes. He was adjudged Man of the Match after RR's 20-run win.

Sanju Samson's unbeaten 38 vs MI: In Match 38 of IPL 2024, Sanju Samson scored unbeaten 38 off 28 as Rajasthan chased down 180 in just 18.4 overs against Mumbai Indians. Ishan Kishan watched Samson's innings from behind the stumps as Samson hammered two fours and two sixes.

Sanju Samson's unbeaten 71 vs LSG: In his last innings before the squad announcement, Samson hammered KL Rahul's LSG for the second time in IPL 2024. He scored 71 not out runs with the help of seven fours and four sixes. Earlier, in the match Rahul scored 76 runs off 48 to help LSG post 196/5. Samson's 33-ball knock helped RR chase down the target with an over to spare.