Rishabh Pant or Sanju Samson? Sunil Gavaskar picks the better wicketkeeper of the two for T20 World Cup 2024

Legendary Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Sunil Gavaskar wants Rishabh Pant to feature ahead of Sanju Samson in India's playing XI in the T20 World Cup 2024. Gavaskar feels Pant's wicketkeeping abilities are superior to Samson.
 

In the only warm-up fixture of India against Bangladesh, Samson opened the innings but was dismissed lbw by left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam. In the absence of Virat Kohli, Pant walked out to bat at no.3 and scored 53 runs from 32 balls before retiring out.
 

"Yes, I think simply because if you compare the wicketkeeping abilities then Rishabh Pant is a better wicketkeeper than Samson. We're not talking about batting here, the batting aspect also comes into play. But, Rishabh Pant in the last few matches has batted really well. On the other hand, Sanju Samson started the IPL season superbly, scored runs at will, hitting the ball to all corners of the ground," Gavaskar told Star Sports.
 

Gavaskar went on to say that had Samson performed in the warm-up game, he would have been in India's playing XI for the opening fixture against Ireland on June 5.
 

"In the last two-three matches, he didn't quite get runs. So this was an opportunity for him actually the match against Bangladesh. If he had scored about 50-60 then there would have been no question but I do feel that the Indian selection committee will look at having Rishabh Pant as the keeper," the 74-year-old added.
 

Samson failed to pick an in-swinger from Shoriful. He scored just one run from six balls. On the other hand, Pant smased four sixes and as many fours in his half-century knock.
 

Pant, Samson’s IPL 2024 numbers

Both the wicketkeeper-batters were in fine form in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The Rajasthan Royals scored 531 runs from 15 games at an average of 48.27 including five half-centuries. His strike rate was 153.47. He led RR to the Qualifier 2 clash where they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). 
 

Delhi Capitals skipper who returned to action after recovering from a near-fatal car accident scored 446 runs from 13 games at an average of 40.55 including three fifties. His strike rate was 155.4.
 

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