Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir believes that Rishabh Pant’s middle-order experience could give him the edge over Sanju Samson to be India’s preferred wicketkeeper-batsman at the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States. Pant was selected in India’s 15-member squad for the tournament based on his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) following his comeback from a near-fatal car accident in December 2022. However, Samson was also included in the squad to keep the selectors’ options open.
Gambhir emphasized the importance of backing either Pant or Samson as India’s starting wicketkeeper-batsman for the World Cup. He suggested that Pant should be preferred due to his left-handed batting style and experience in the middle order, as opposed to Samson’s top-order batting. Gambhir highlighted the advantage of having a left-hander in the middle-order to maintain the left-hand-right-hand batting combination. Pant, who captains the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, has been in good form with the bat, scoring 446 runs in 13 matches this season.
On the other hand, Samson, who leads the Rajasthan Royals, has also performed well in the IPL, accumulating 486 runs in 12 games. Gambhir acknowledged that if Samson proves to be more effective in scoring runs lower down the order, India may opt for him as the wicketkeeper-batsman. The competition between Pant and Samson for the role will ultimately depend on their performances and the team’s requirements during the World Cup. Delhi’s recent victory in the IPL has guaranteed Rajasthan a spot in the top four, alongside Kolkata Knight Riders, leaving two playoff spots up for grabs.
In conclusion, Pant’s middle-order experience, along with his consistent performance in the IPL, could give him the edge over Samson to secure the wicketkeeper-batsman role for India in the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup. However, both players possess high-quality skills, and India’s decision will be based on the team’s needs and the players’ form leading up to the tournament. The left-hand-right-hand batting combination that Pant provides could be a crucial factor in India’s team composition for the World Cup, as highlighted by Gambhir’s analysis. Ultimately, the final decision rests with the team management and selectors as they aim to field the strongest possible squad for the prestigious event.
