Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has indicated that Sanju Samson has solidified his position as India’s primary wicketkeeper-batter in T20 Internationals, potentially sidelining Rishabh Pant for the upcoming series against England.
Bangar said that Samson’s recent performances have been exceptional, making it challenging to include two wicket-keeper-batters in the lineup. He said, “Based on the evidence of the last series, there’s one spot for a wicket-keeper-batter, and Sanju Samson has grabbed that opportunity with both hands.”
Samson’s recent form includes three centuries in his last five T20I innings, with notable scores against Bangladesh and South Africa.
Bangar also said that the presence of other left-handed batsmen, such as Tilak Varma, reduces the necessity of including Pant solely for his left-handed batting.
He explained, “With Tilak Varma also being a left-hander who performed so well, whether that left-hander thing also comes into the equation goes away slightly because you have plenty of left-handers in the squad as well.”
Former cricketer Deep Dasgupta shared a similar perspective, suggesting that while Pant should be on the squad, his inclusion in the XI playing is uncertain due to Samson’s current form.
Dasgupta remarked, “He will be in my squad, not necessarily in the playing XI, because he is someone I believe his best position in this format is in the top three or four.”
As India prepares for the T20I series against England, starting January 22 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the competition for the wicketkeeper-batter position remains intense.
