IPL 2024: Sangakkara backs Samson as India keeper for T20 WC

Kumar Sangakkara (Pic: File Pic)

Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, two wicketkeeper-batsman has been picked in the Indian squad. Rajasthan Royals' captain Sanju Samson has made his case to be India's first-choice wicketkeeper, says the team's director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara. The other wicket-keeper named in the Indian squad is Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant who has impressed with his glove work in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Samson smashed 86 off 46 balls on Tuesday but the knock went in vain, with the Capitals winning by 20 runs at home. He is having a great run with 471 runs in 11 matches. The recent 86-run knock was his fifth half-century in the IPL 2024.

Also Read: IN PHOTOS | KL Rahul vs Sanju Samson: A look at their T20I performances!

Sangakkara played down the Pant versus Samson debate in the post-match press conference but made his choice clear. "It's really up to Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma and how they see the combination," Sangakkara told reporters. "But he has made his case, so hopefully he'll have a good run in the World Cup."

Samson has been an understated leader of his team, who are all but through to the playoffs with eight wins in 11 matches. Currently, he is third on the list of leading run-scorers in the tournament. Rishabh Pant with 413 runs in 12 IPL 2024 matches is also in the top 10 players.

"With Sanju, the biggest thing about this season for him is having a lot of clarity about the way he should bat," former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Sangakkara said. "There are certain stages of the game that he seems to lose a bit of concentration, which we've addressed from past seasons," he added.

"He's changed his mindset about the importance of rest and recovery, rather than just training all the time and being tired mentally and physically." This year is Samson's first in a World Cup squad and Sangakkara said he is a team man. "He's a special player and when he's fresh and focused there's nothing he can't do," said Sangakkara.

(With AFP Inputs)