Sanju Samson could be India's first-choice wicketkeeper for World Cup: Sources

Rajasthan Royals RR skipper Sanju Samson is likely to be Indias first choice wicketkeeperbatter for the T20 World Cup 2024 taking place in West Indies and USA from June 1 ESPNCricinfo reported on MondayRishabh Pant who made his return to competitive cricket this IPL after a car accident in 2022 Lucknow Super Giants LSG skipper KL Rahul and Mumbai Indians MI star Ishan Kishan are other players in contention for the spot for the tournamentSamson is outdoing his competition sitting at the fourth spot in the IPL 2024 run charts with 385 runs at an average of 7700 and a strike rate of 16108 with four halfcenturies His best score is 82Rahul is the fifthhighest runscorer this season with 378 runs at an average of 4200 and four halfcenturies though his strike rate of around 144 is quite low as compared to other compatriots Pant is the sixthhighest rungetter with 371 runs in 10 matches at an average of 4637 and a strike rate of 16060 with three fifties His best score is 88Kishan who does not have a Board of Control for Cricket in India BCCI central contract is doing worst among all with just 212 runs in nine games at an average of 2355 and a halfcentury but his strike rate of 16562 is the best among the contendersIPL form is not expected to play a huge role in the team selection The management and selectors are believed to be excited about LSG pace sensation Mayank Yadavs pace and control but he is nursing an injury and that may likely put an end to possibility of his getting a T20 World Cup berthAlso ReadPant Samson in mix as wicketkeepers but no RahulThe top four had been more or less decided before the IPL with skipper Rohit Sharma Yashasvi Jaiswal set to open Virat Kohli at number three and number oneranked T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav at number fourStar allrounder Hardik Pandya is battling with Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh As per ESPNCricinfo his bowling fitness during MIs matches is a concern He bowls mostly two overs per match for his franchise in the IPL and has done very little in the league as a performerIf India were to take Shivam Dube and Rinku to the WC they will have to leave out either a backup keeper or a backup bowler It would most likely be a choice between Rinku and a backup pacerVeteran allrounder Ravindra Jadeja could be preferred over Axar Patel as the spinbowling allrounder and Axar could be in the squad as a backup Kuldeep is likely to feature as the sole finger spinner in the squad of 15Also Mohammed Shamis injury has lessened Indias fast bowling stocks with Jasprit Bumrah set to lead the attack Arshdeep Singhs leftarm pace is highly likely to be a part of Indian setup despite his disappointing performances in death overs Avesh Khan from Rajasthan Royals is in contention because of his hitthedeck abilities and height and so is Mohammed Siraj who has not been at his best for Royal Challengers Benglaru having taken just six wickets in nine gamesHarshit Rana from Kolkata Knight Riders KKR and Lucknow Super Giants Mohsin Khan have left a good impression on selectors but their fitness reportedly not at peak could very well hamper their chances of selectionPredicted T20 World Cup 2024 squad as per ESPNCricinfoTop order Rohit Sharma capt Yashasvi Jaiswal Virat Kohli Suryakumar YadavMiddle and lowermiddle order Sanju Samson wk Rishabh Pant wk Hardik Pandya Ravindra Jadeja Axar Patel Shivam Dube Rinku Singh Spinners Kuldeep YadavFast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah Arshdeep Singh Avesh KhanMohammed SirajOther contenders KL Rahul Yuzvendra Chahal Ravi Bishnoi Sandeep Sharma