Yuvraj Singh backs Rishabh Pant ahead of Sanju Samson as wicketkeeper for T20 World Cup 2024

The debate over who should keep wickets for India at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 has been increasing, with Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant both having high chances to take up the role. However, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has expressed the southpaw as his preference for Men in Blue's playing combination ahead of the marquee event to be hosted in the West Indies and USA.

For years, Pant was seen as MS Dhoni's successor behind the stumps across all formats. But when he was sidelined indefinitely after a car crash in 2022, Samson's chances increased. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain scored an ODI century against South Africa in January and has scored brilliantly in the ongoing IPL season with 504 runs in 14 matches.

Despite Samson's terrific form of late, the former Indian all-rounder feels the Indian contingent would benefit from the left-hander in the middle-order.

“I would probably go for Rishabh. Obviously, Sanju is also in great form, but Rishabh (is a) left-hander, and I believe that Rishabh has massive potential to win games for India, which he has done in the past. Lot more in Test cricket, and he's someone who I feel can be a match-winner on the big stage,” Yuvraj told ICC.

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I'd like to see a couple of left-hand and right-hand combinations: Yuvraj Singh

The 2007 World Twenty20 winning cricketer feels that left-right batting combinations make it tougher for bowlers. Singh went on to support the opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, followed by Virat Kohli at No.3 and Suryakumar Yadav at No.4. 

“I think Rohit (Sharma) and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal should definitely open. Virat (Kohli) has been batting at No.3 and that's his position. And then, you get Surya (Yadav) at four, and then you got a couple of big options. I'd like to see a couple of left-hand, right-hand combinations because it is harder to bowl at two combinations all the time,” Yuvi added.

Also read: Virat Kohli surely deserves another World Cup medal: Yuvraj Singh

The 42-year-old was also pleased to see Yuzvendra Chahal return to the World Cup squad after being overlooked in the past. The leg spinner has also had a huge impact in the IPL, picking 17 wickets in 13 games so far.

“It was nice to see Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad, because he's been bowling really well. And the second half of the World Cup, you might have wickets slowing down, so it's good to keep some bowling options in spin. We have Jasprit (Bumrah), (Mohammed) Siraj; we have the experience with Arshdeep (Singh) as well. So looks like a really strong side, but we have to prove it,” concluded the Punjab-born.