The T20 World Cup is set to kick-off almost in a month’s time and all eyes are currently set on when the BCCI announces the squad for the World Cup.
Speaking to Star Sports, former Indian cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjarekar proposed a bold squad for the T20 World Cup with Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the batting, while Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant playing in the middle order.
The former Indian cricketer has surprisingly dropped Virat Kohli and suggested the inclusion of Sanju Samson. Manjrekar has also suggested the dropping Hardik Pandya who has been having a disastrous IPL season so far and inclusion of his brother Krunal Pandya in the squad.
Could Sanju Samson be included as pure batter?
Skipper of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL, Samson has been performing brilliantly for the franchise with the bat in this year’s edition. RR has won eight out of the nine games that they have played this season and are currently at the top of the points table.
The problem with Samson though is his position as wicketkeeper. There are already two other very strong contenders in the team in KL Rahul and the returning Rishabh Pant. Though, considering the form that Samson has showcased and the consistency that he has shown, he could be included in the squad as a pure batter, relieved from the duties of donning the gloves.
Former English cricketer turned commentator, Kevin Pietersen has also backed the inclusion of Samson in the Indian squad after his marvelous match winning knock against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Saturday evening. Samson scored an unbeaten 71 runs off just 33 balls against the LSG bowling attack as RR chased down the target of 197 set by LSG comfortably.
"If I was an Indian selector, Sanju Samson would've been one of my first picks for the T20 World Cup. He should be on the plane to the USA and West Indies," Pietersen said on Star Sports.
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What are Sanju Samson’s IPL 2024 Stats
Samson has played some important and match winning knocks for the Rajasthan side this season also scoring three fifties in the process. Coming down at the number 3 spot, Samson takes the bowlers head on and wastes no time in picking up his pace and rhythm.
| Matches | Runs | Average | Strike rate | 50+ | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 385 | 77.00 | 161.08 | 4 | 82* |
Samson is also just second to RCB talisman Virat Kohli in the race for the orange cap this season and is increasingly getting close to taking scorer the top-scorers chart.
| Player | Team | Matches | Runs | Average | S.R. | 50s | 100s | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | RCB | 9 | 430 | 61.42 | 145.76 | 3 | 1 | 113* |
| Sanju Samson | RR | 9 | 385 | 77.00 | 161.38 | 4 | 0 | 82* |
| KL Rahul | LSG | 9 | 378 | 42.00 | 144.27 | 3 | 0 | 82 |
| Rishabh Pant | DC | 10 | 371 | 46.37 | 160.60 | 3 | 0 | 88* |
| Sunil Narine | KKR | 9 | 357 | 44.62 | 184.02 | 2 | 1 | 109 |
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With the IPL getting closer to its conclusion with each passing game, Sanju’s performances in the upcoming games for the Rajasthan Royals could play a big role in his inclusion or exclusion from the upcoming T20 World Cup squad for India.
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