With the deadline for announcing the squads for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 closing in, India has a conundrum in their hands with several players in the reckoning to be the leading wicketkeeper.
Ishan Kishan’s break from international cricket combined with Rishabh Pant’s promising return to professional cricket and the timely spike in the forms of Sanju Samson and Dinesh Karthik has thrown the race wide open.
Possible Frontrunners for Indi’s Wicketkeeper Role
Ishan Kishan: Despite having the most T20 appearances among Indian wicketkeepers since the last T20 World Cup, Kishan’s inconsistent performance in IPL 2024 could hurt his chances. Kishan is also challenging for a spot in the top three, where his competition would include heavyweights like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav
Ishan Kishan
Rishabh Pant: Pant made a resounding return to professional cricket after recovering from an accident in late 2022. His impressive performance in IPL 2024, including two half-centuries in eight innings, makes him a compelling candidate. Pant also showcased excellence behind the stumps in the clash against Gujarat Titans, where he effected four dismissals, including a spectacular stumping.
Rishabh Pant
Sanju Samson: The Rajasthan Royals skipper has had an outstanding IPL season, scoring 314 runs at an average of over 50 and a strike rate of over 150. Like Kishan, Samson has also been preferred in the top four of the batting line-up, where the competition for spots is quite heavy. However, his promising form in recent IPL seasons and attacking gameplay could see him get the nod for the T20 World Cup.
Sanju Samson
KL Rahul: Rahul hasn’t played T20Is since the last edition of the T20 World Cup.Rahul’s success in the middle-order in ODIs, culminating in a good run in the home Cricket World Cup last year, raised speculation of a possible switch to a similar role in T20s, but he has opened in all games so far this IPL season for Lucknow Super Giants. However, with many players in the running for a spot in the top four, Rahul might find it tough to break into the T20 World Cup squad as a top-order batter and wicketkeeper.KL Rahul
Jitesh Sharma: Jitesh Sharma came into this IPL season with a place in Inda’s T20I squad secure after his impressive cameos in the blue kit in the shortest format of the game. Striking at 147.05 in seven innings, Jitesh promised much in his time with the Indian side to warrant a place in the T20 World Cup squad.
However, a below-par showing in the IPL 2024 season could see him go down the pecking order. His role as a lower middle-order finisher is one that India would fancy, however, recent form could dent Jitesh’s chances when the squad is announced.
Jitesh Sharma
Dinesh Karthik: With India also looking for options down the order to finish matches, Karthik’s recent form in the IPL could swing things his way when the selection debate heats up. Despite the team struggling for wins in the season, Karthik has flaunted his skillset as a desirable finisher in this format with his strike rate edging close to 200.
Dinesh Karthik
The selection for the wicketkeeper’s slot in the T20 World Cup squad will be a tough decision for the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel. Each of these players brings unique skills and experiences to the table, making the competition intense and the selection process challenging.
