File photo of Navjot Singh Sidhu
The competition for the wicket-keeper’s spot in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup 2024 arguably is the most fierce among all positions. The likes of Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Sanju Samson have emerged as the top contenders for the spot behind the stumps, with there being no outright favourite. Experts and fans continue to differ in their opinions on the matter while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee also seems yet to finalise their No. 1 choice. As far as former India all-rounder Navjot Singh Sidhu is concerned, however, it’s Samson who is his numero uno pick.
Sidhu, who is working as a pundit on Star Sports for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), hailed Samson’s rise, calling him a ‘different’ player than he was maybe one or two years ago.
“No. 1 is Sanju Samson, on form. This is a different Samson. If India finds themselves in situations where they need a spare opener or No. 4 batter or at No. 6, they you have KL Rahul, who is also in form. But I will still prefer Samson, followed by Rishabh Pant. He is coming out of an injury. Now, do you consider him as a white-ball specialist? His form is a bit patchy and scratchy, but he has survived the test so far. My preferences are these three,” Sidhu opined.
Samson was brilliant with the bat for Rajasthan Royals against Lucknow Super Giants, scoring 33-ball 71, earning the player of the match award. After the game, Samson credited his role behind the stumps as wicket-keeper as a contributing factor behind his knock.
“I am very lucky to be behind the wickets. There was some purchase with the new ball and then was a good wicket to bat on. The guys who came in and bowl one over in the power-play do an important job. There has been a lot of planning behind the scenes. The start and the end of the innings was good. We gave away a few in the middle overs. Form is temporary in this format.
“We have seen Jurel in Tests. We believe in him. He has been batting one hour and two hours at times in the nets. We have been doing really well. We have been a little lucky as well. We need to keep the process right. At the team meetings, we talk about ticking the processes. One game at a time for us,” he said.
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