Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has backed Rishabh Pant to play ahead of Sanju Samson as a wicket-keeper in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Pant, who provides a left-handed option in the middle order, made an impressive comeback in the ongoing IPL 2024. 

Pant scored 446 runs in 13 matches of the season while leading Delhi Capitals at an average of 40.55 and a strike rate of 155.40. On the other hand, Sanju Samson has scored 504 runs in 13 games at an average of 56 and a strike rate of 156.52 while leading Rajasthan Royals.

“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. I’d 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,” Yuvraj explained while talking to the ICC.

On the other hand, the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning player showered praise on Yuzvendra Chahal. The leg-spinner has been picked in India’s T20 World Cup squad and has scalped 17 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 27.59 in the ongoing IPL 2024.

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

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5.