As the anticipation builds for the T20 World Cup 2024, discussions around Team India's composition intensify, particularly regarding the crucial wicketkeeper-batter position.
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Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma are the three potential candidates for the spot, with the former being ignored in the latest squad announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan starting from January 11.
Samson was included in the West Indies and Ireland trip earlier in the year and he had a mixed bag of results away from home.
Against West Indies, he scored 13 of nine balls in the third T20I, whereas against Ireland he posted 1*(1) and a 40 (26) respectively. Decent numbers, but not ones to establish oneself as indispensable in the squad.
However, he scored his maiden international century (108 runs off 114 balls) during the 3rd ODI against South Africa at Boland Park in Paarl. He was crucial to India's triumph over South Africa, securing a series win with a 78-run victory. And this knock might have led the selectors to plug him in the final T20I squad before the World Cup in June.
Sanju's fierce competitor, Jitesh, failed to make the most of the opportunity against the Proteas and scored 1 & 4 in the second and third T20Is respectively. But two handy knocks of 35 and 24 against Australia seem to have saved his skin.
MORE: India T20I squad for Afghanistan series announced
He is likely to be given another opportunity to impress against the Afghans but if he falls flat after the disappointment in South Africa, there will be question marks on his future for the T20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Ishan decided to withdraw from the upcoming Test series against South Africa reportedly due to mental fatigue. The team management discussed this with the selectors, who agreed to Kishan's request for a break.
The relentless schedule and uncertainty about his playing time, as he often featured only when regular players were unavailable, is believed to be the reason that led to Kishan's request for a break.
However, after he was omitted from the 16-man squad for Afghanistan, it has been reported that the selectors are looking beyond him and he might face an uphill battle to get back into the squad.
"Ishan wasn't happy that he was travelling without much game time. He is on a break right now and is vacationing. In any case, selectors are in all likelihood are looking beyond Kishan. It will be interesting if he is picked for the England Test series where KS Bharat will be back behind the stumps," a BCCI source told PTI.
Hence, it is unlikely that Kishan will be a part of the T20 World Cup squad in June, with Sanju and Jitesh being the preferred options.
The 'Pant' factor - Will Rishabh Pant be part of India's T20 World Cup squad?
In December 2022, Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was involved in a car accident on his way from Delhi to Roorkee, which saw him suffer multiple injuries as he was admitted to a hospital in Dehradun.
As per the reports, he is set to return in IPL 2024. This is a later return date than was speculated earlier in the year when some outlets reported that he could return as early as February for the home Test series against England.
However, there had also been speculation that Pant would return for Delhi Capitals, but only as an Impact Player.
Those rumours were swiftly quashed by the team management as an official clarified that he would take up keeping duties if cleared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). If not, he will still be leading the side on the field, and batting as well.
Hence, if Pant has a successful IPL with the bat, there will be calls to include him in the World Cup squad. Ishan might also revive his fortunes if he manages to get going in the franchise cricket league later this year.
But, as things stand, it is definitely advantage to Sanju and Jitesh for the two wicket-keeping spots for the T20 World Cup. But, there's a lot to be played until May!
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