Gautam Gambhir decisively favored Rishabh Pant as Indias top wicketkeeper for the T20 WC 2024 choosing him over Sanju Samson and providing two reasons for his selection.
India has selected two wicketkeepers Pant and Samson for the T20 World Cup 2024. Discussing on Sportskeeda Crickets Match Ki Baat show Gambhir noted that while Pant has experience batting in the middle order during the IPL Samson has predominantly played in the top order.
Amidst Indias batting prowess comprising Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli at the forefront Gautam Gambhir voiced his support for Rishabh Pants presence in the starting XI.
Gambhir fervently voiced his belief that Pants lefthanded batting flair injects a distinctive essence into the teams middle order.
“Both have equal quality. Sanju has amazing quality, and even Rishabh has amazing quality. If I had to pick, I’d probably pick Rishabh Pant because he is a natural middle-order batter. Sanju, if you see in IPL, he has batted at number three. Rishabh has batted at number five, six and seven I think.”
“Looking at Team India’s combination, we need the wicketkeeper in that position and not in the top order. So I’d start with Rishabh Pant. Plus, he is a left-hander in the middle-order, which gives you a left hand-right hand combination.”
Gautam Gambhir
Finally, Gambhir stated that if the Indian team management liked Samson as a finisher, they might choose him over Pant in the starting XI.
“But again, if they see that Sanju can score more runs at number six or seven, they could go with him as well.”
Gautam Gambhir
“I don’t think so” – Gautam Gambhir feels India will not pick 2 wicketkeepers in the playing XI
During that very same broadcast the host probed Gautam Gambhir on his opinion regarding the selection dilemma of including both Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson in Indias playing XI for the imminent T20 World Cup matches.
Gambhir responded:
“I don’t think so. I think only one out of those two will play, and whoever plays, the team management should back him. If Rishabh Pant or Sanju Samson do not perform in one or two matches, do not criticize them or say that replace them. Whoever plays, I think we should back that player.”
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 starts on June 2. Being curious about India’s wicketkeeper in the opening match against Ireland on June 5.