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As the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA) approaches, India are strategically focusing on delivering top-notch cricket in the coming months, aiming to boost morale and secure the prestigious trophy, a feat they haven’t achieved in 17 years.
Challenges in selecting the T20 world cup squad
Currently involved in a three-match T20 T20I series against Afghanistan, Indian players are also gearing up for the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faces the challenge of assembling a squad adept at thriving in the unique conditions of the West Indies and the USA.
Suresh Raina names the ‘X-Factor’ that can define Team India’s journey
Sharing his insights on this matter, Suresh Raina, in a conversation on Jio Cinema, singled out Sanju Samson as the X-factor player for Team India in the World Cup.
“You cannot sign off Sanju Samson. The way he scored a hundred against South Africa on the latter’s soil. He plays fearlessly and is a superb wicketkeeper. Samson is also a captain material. He has done really well whenever he has got chances,”
“He plays those pick-up shots against pacers from the length. Hopefully, he performs well in the IPL too before the selectors sit down to select the team for the T20 World Cup. So, it is a good chance for Sanju against Afghanistan, and he can be our X-Factor in the World Cup,”
Also READ: India’s Suresh Raina predicts the player of the tournament for T20 World Cup 2024
Raina’s preference
Raina further emphasized his preference for Samson, even in the scenario of Rishabh Pant making a comeback, favoring Samson over KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan.
“We have some very good options for wicketkeeper-batter role – KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Pant whenever he comes back after getting fit. I prefer to have Sanju in the middle-order because he has a lot of shots,”
Samson, a standout performer in the IPL representing the Rajasthan Royals (RR), has compiled an impressive record of 3,888 runs in 152 T20s, showcasing a striking strike rate of 137.19. Despite his IPL success, Samson has encountered challenges in T20Is for India, accumulating 374 runs in 24 games with an average of 19.68.
