T20 World Cup: Samson fist choice for wicketkeeper's role, Pandya's fitness 'cause of concern' - Report

As the deadline to announce the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup is nearing, the anticipation of the fans is increasing day by day about who will make the cut in the final 15 and who will be the unfortunate one to miss out.

Many fans were predicting that a great IPL season may provide a push to many players but as per the last report by Espncricinfo, IPL form will not play much of a role in the World Cup selection.

The selectors are expected to prefer players who have international experience even though a few of them have made heads turn with their hitting in IPL 2024. It was expected that India's new pace-sensation would make the cut into the final squad but seems like selectors have decided not to pick him as he doesn't have any international experience so far and is also prone to injury as the pacer hasn't returned after he experienced 'soreness in lower abdominal area'.

Before the start of the IPL 2024, all eyes were on Rishabh Pant who was returning from a life-threatening accident after 16 months he has proven his metal with some scintillating knocks at an outstanding strike-rate above 160 and his performance has made him a serious contender for the wicketkeeping slot.

But as per the latest report by Espncricinfo, selectors are likely to go with Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson as the first-choice wicketkeeper for he can hit the spin.

KL Rahul is in form but he is batting in the top order which is already secured. Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav are almost finalised in the top 4.

For Rahul or Pant to be the backup keepers, India will need to exclude either Rinku Singh or Shivam Dube, a backup pacer and if selectors want to pick both Dube and Rinku in the team then there will be a direct shootout between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.

As far as Hardik Pandya is concerned, his bowling fitness could be a cause for concern for the selectors. He is out of form but that is not a huge concern for selectors as much as his bowling fitness is. Pandya is yet to bowl a full quota of overs this IPL and his pace is also down.

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