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Suresh Raina (Source-Twitter)
Former India cricket star Suresh Raina has left out KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as potential wicket-keepers for the T20 World Cup. Rishabh Pant is yet to be declared fit to play. It is believed that the 26-year-old will make his return during the 2024 IPL season.
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KL Rahul on the other hand isn’t considered for the T20I format anymore. Suresh Raina who was part of the 2011 and 2007 title wins named a favorite player who was chosen as the leading wicketkeeper.
In the series against Afghanistan, Jitesh Sharma has been given the nod. The 30-year-old has impressed for India ever since his debut late last year versus Australia. Team India will host the Afghans in the second game on Sunday in Indore.
Suresh Raina names his wicket-keeper choice
Former Indian batter Suresh Raina has named Sanju Samson to take the gloves during the T20I World Cup in June. The 29-year-old has shown great form in recent times with the bat to warrant selection into the team.
Speaking to JIO Cinema, Raina said “You cannot sign off Sanju Samson, the way he scored a century against South in the latter’s soil. He plays fearlessly and is a superb wicketkeeper. Samson is also captain’s material. He has done well whenever he has got a chance.
Addressing the other options, Raina said “We have some really good options for the wicket-keeper role. KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Pant whenever he comes back and is getting fit. I prefer to have Sanju in the middle order because he has a lot of shots. He plays those pick-up shots against the Pacers from the length. Hopefully, he performs well during the IPL too before the selectors sit down to select the team”
Sanju Samson scored his maiden ODI ton in the third ODI versus South Africa recently. The century helped India win the game and clinch the series in fine style. Despite making his debut in 2015, chances for Sanju Samson have come far and few in between Kerala’s skipper was famously ignored for the 2022 T20I and 2023 ODI World Cups. This sparked massive outrage on social media amongst the fans. A fit and firing Sanju Samson is what fans will expect once the IPL begins in two months.