With the announcement of the Indian test and ODI squad for the upcoming WI tour, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are the two choices for the wicketkeeper in the ODI squad whereas Sanju Samson doesn’t get the chance in the test squad. Ishan Kishan who didn’t play a single match in Ranji and has a lesser average than Samson in Ranji and KS Bharat who didn’t perform well in the WTC Final against Australia and has less average than Samson in the Ranji season were picked in place of Samson in the test squad which disappointed the Indian fans.
In terms of experience Samson has been wicketkeeping since 2021 for the Rajasthan royals after he was made captain and has also performed well whereas Ishan Kishan was made the keeper of Mumbai Indians this season before this season it was mostly De Kock wearing the keeping gloves.
Sanju Samson has been called for ODI after a gap of 8 months and it is an opportunity for him to prove himself as a wicketkeeper-batsman. Samson can play at no.5 and can give the Indian team strength in the middle order which is left open after Rishabh Pant got injured. Samson has played 10 innings in ODI and has scored 330 runs with an average of 66.
With Rohit and Gill in the top order, it is unlikely for Ishan Kishan to open even if he got the chance in the Wi tour. he could open if the skipper demotes himself from the top order of the Indian batting otherwise Kishan has to play in the middle order. Kishan has played 13 innings and has scored 510 runs with an average of 42.50 which includes a double hundred against Bangladesh.
Both the wicketkeeper-batsman has the potential to play and make a name for themselves in the Indian team but it is up to the selectors whom they will give a chance to play in ODI. According to the stats, Sanju Samson has more chances to play for the Indian squad as he had already played in the middle order and has performed well so he could be the first choice for the selectors, but the final decision is up to the selectors.