New Delhi: It has been an incredible redemption arc for Sanju Samson in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 as he gears up to take the flight to the US and the Caribbean for the T20 World Cup 2024 with the rest of the Indian team after enjoying a stellar season for Rajasthan Royals. Not too long back, Samson was not even in the picture as far as selection was concerned. He was probably the lowest in the pecking order to grab one of the two slots available for wicket-keeper batters in India’s final 15.
At the start of the IPL season, Samson was not even being considered in the debate for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad with the likes of Jitesh Sharma, KL Rahul and even Ishan Kishan despite all the controversy, firmly ahead of the RR captain in the race. But a few weeks into the tournament a lot has changed.
Not only has Samson earned a deserving call-up in India’s T20 World Cup squad but has also pipped Rishabh Pant in the race to be the first-choice wicket-keeper batter in the playing XI. Samson’s biggest weakness when it came to his India selection was his inconsistency. Despite being one of the most talented and explosive batters around, his failure in consistently producing the goods for India meant he never quite managed to cement his spot despite getting a plethora of chances.
But Samson has put to bed any concerns in regards to his consistency with his remarkable campaign for Rajasthan Royals this time around. He has not only been the best batter for his franchise by a distance in IPl 2024 but also one of the best in the league so far. Unlike previous seasons where he would fizzle out after a strong start, Samson has managed to maintain his level in IPL 2024 and has stepped up for his team whenever required.
Samson has led from the front, not only as a captain but also as a batter for Rajasthan Royals. He has amassed 471 runs in 11 matches so far this season at an average of 67.29 and an impressive strike rate of 163.54. He is currently RR’s leading run-getter in the tournament and third in the list of the highest run-getters of the tournament so far.
A testament to his consistency is the fact that he is close to beating his best-ever IPL season with the bat. Samson’s best season in the IPL came for RR in 2021 when he smashed 484 runs in 14 matches. He is just 14 runs short of surpassing the tally with three league games and potentially at least two more matches to play in the playoffs.
But his value for Rajasthan Royals goes beyond the numbers which is why he should be ahead of Rishabh Pant in the race to be India’s first-choice wicket-keeper batter in the T20 World Cup 2024. While his consistency has shone throughout the tournament, Samson has also performed exceptionally well in all phases of the game, showing his versatility at the no.3 position.
Right from the Powerplay to death overs, he has scored runs in all phases and has produced exceptional numbers. Besides that, Samson has also been one of the best batters against spin in IPL 2024 which makes him a valuable asset for India in the T20 World Cup 2024 keeping the conditions in the US and the Caribbean in mind.
While Pant has struggled against spin in IPL 2024, getting dismissed 5 times by a leg-spinner in the league, Samson is yet to be dismissed by a spinner. Samson has also produced brilliant numbers against the spinners so far this season. While Pant has scored 131 runs off 114 balls at a strike rate of 114.91 against the spinners, Samson has notched up 156 runs in 107 balls against spinners at a strike rate of 145.79.
Samson has struck 11 fours and 6 sixes against the spinners compared to Pant’s 7 fours and 6 sixes against spin. Samson has also been dominant across all phases, having batted nearly throughout the innings on a few occasions this season. While he has struck at 149.38 in the Powerplay for his 121 runs off 81 balls, Samson’s number shot up significantly in the middle overs.
In the overs 7-15, Samson has scored an impressive 246 runs off 154 balls at 159.74 in the middle overs and has been dismissed only twice. Meanwhile, in the death overs, he has scored 104 runs off 53 balls at 196.23 and has been dismissed once.
Samson’s numbers in the middle overs, where is expected to bat majorly in the T20 World Cup, are also proof why he should be ahead of Pant in the pecking order. While he has done more than enough on his part, it’s down to the Indian team management to decide Samson’s role in the team and utilise him well during the showpiece event.
Has Samson done enough to pip Pant to be 1st choice wicket-keeper in T20 World Cup 2024?
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08.05.2024
New Delhi: It has been an incredible redemption arc for Sanju Samson in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 as he gears up to take the flight to the US and the Caribbean for the T20 World Cup 2024 with the rest of the Indian team after enjoying a stellar season for Rajasthan Royals. Not too long back, Samson was not even in the picture as far as selection was concerned. He was probably the lowest in the pecking order to grab one of the two slots available for wicket-keeper batters in India’s final 15.
At the start of the IPL season, Samson was not even being considered in the debate for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad with the likes of Jitesh Sharma, KL Rahul and even Ishan Kishan despite all the controversy, firmly ahead of the RR captain in the race. But a few weeks into the tournament a lot has changed.
Not only has Samson earned a deserving call-up in India’s T20 World Cup squad but has also pipped Rishabh Pant in the race to be the first-choice wicket-keeper batter in the playing XI. Samson’s biggest weakness when it came to his India selection was his inconsistency. Despite being one of the most........
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