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The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is just over one month away and the Indian team is still looking for a wicketkeeper in the team. They need to figure out quickly on the wicketkeeper that will board a flight for the T20 WC. And then who will be the first choice in the playing XI? Today, we will see the top contenders for wicketkeeper for Team India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. So let’s dive into it quickly.
Top contenders for wicketkeeper for Team India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024
Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant coming back to play cricket that early after that horrifying accident is a very positive thing for Team India. Just before the marque tournament in June, they can see how the wicketkeeper has been doing with the bat and behind the stumps.
Pant has done well in the IPL 2024 so far. He looks agile in the wicketkeeping and has decent outings with the bat as well. In the tournament so far, he scored 254 runs in 8 games at an average of 36.29 and with a very good strike rate of 150.30.
Pant struggled in a game against SRH, but other than that, he batted well for the team.
If he continues to do well, he might be the front-runner for that slot in the World Cup. According to the reports as well, the selectors are looking at Rishabh Pant for the vacant slot. He can also play in the middle order as there are already a few options in the top order.
Sanju Samson
Whenever Sanju plays, it’s always pleasing to the eyes. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain has done with the bat as he scored 314 runs so far at an average of 62.80 and with an outstanding strike rate of 152.42.
He can also play in the middle order as well. The selectors will surely look at him as Team India’s wicketkeeper slot in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
KL Rahul
KL Rahul has been in the mix for a long time. But in the last year or so, he wasn’t considered in the T20I setup because of his performances in that particular format. His strike rate has always been a question mark in the past few years.
But in the last few games in the IPL 2024, he improved his strike rate and played with a positive intent, right from ball one.
He is also one of the contenders for wicketkeeper for Team India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Ishan Kishan
At one stage, Ishan Kishan was the front-runner before he told BCCI to not consider him for South Africa tests; citing personal reasons. After that, things didn’t go his way. According to reports, he wasn’t selected for the Afghanistan T20Is on disciplinary grounds.
But now, he is batting well for Mumbai Indians (MI) and will also be in the contentions for the Indian wicketkeeper in T20 WC.
Chance for Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik in a World Cup year is a different story altogether. In 2022 as well, he has done well for RCB and the Indian team included him in the T20 WC 2022 squad on those performances. The selectors might also see his experience and his role as a finisher.
What about Jitesh and Jurel?
Jitesh Sharma played in the last T20I series Team India has played against Afghanistan. He did well for the Punjab Kings last year and played a few very good cameos. But his performance this year hasn’t been good enough for the consideration of T20 World Cup 2024.
As far as Dhruv Jurel, when he did well in the test series against England, the fans wanted him to be in the T20 WC. But they should think that it was a different format.
A few reports also suggest that the selectors might look at him for the T20 WC wicketkeeper role. But he didn’t get enough opportunity to bat in the IPL 2024. And whatever chances he got so far, he hasn’t done well. After that, the chances of him playing in the T20 WC were over.
Who are the top contenders for the Indian wicketkeeper in T20 World Cup?
Right now, Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson are the two wicketkeepers who are the front runners according to us. With KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan, the problem is they bat at the top of the order for their franchises and in the Indian team. And the slots are already filled at the top order.
DK won the only game RCB won till now in 2024 but hasn’t been able to finish in the other games. The inning he played against SRH was when the game was already dead.
And as we said earlier, there are no chances for Jitesh and Jurel as of now.
So Rishant and Sanju are the two best picks according to us. Remember the topic is very much subjective. The picks are based on the performance of these two and the requirements of the team. The selectors will make the final call on this.
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FAQs:-
What is the cut-off date to announce the team for ICC T20 World Cup 2024?
The ICC (International Cricket Council) has given May 01 as the deadline to submit the team for T20 WC 2024.
When will the BCCI announce Team India’s squad for the T20 WC?
The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is expected to announce the team at the end of April 2024.