Is Sanju Samson playing today's IND vs SA 2024 T20 World Cup final?

Team India wicketkeeper Sanju Samson does not make it to the playing XI for the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa. As a result, the right-handed batter fails to make a single appearance for the Men in Blue in the entire campaign.

Samson was selected as the backup wicketkeeper choice to Rishabh Pant in the India squad. He was included following an exceptional 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with the Rajasthan Royals (RR), where he crossed the 500-run mark for a season for the first time in his career.

Samson opened the innings for India in the sole warm-up encounter against Bangladesh in New York. However, he failed to impress at the top after scoring just one run.

As the tournament progressed, there were rallying calls for his inclusion in the playing XI, as Shivam Dube struggled for runs in alien conditions. However, the Men in Blue remained true to their combination, with Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in the Caribbean leg in place of Mohammed Siraj being the sole change.

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed that they are fielding an unchanged playing XI for the final which does not include Sanju Samson in it.

"Different individuals stepping up and getting the job done is what is required in a team sport, and that is something we're looking forward to. Same team," Sharma said at the toss.

Sanju Samson was selected for his versatility and his ability to take on spin even in sluggish conditions. However, his services were not required in the entire tournament.

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Team India lose Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant inside two overs in T20 World Cup Final

The Men in Blue had made a flying start to the 2024 T20 World Cup final after Virat Kohli took on Marco Jansen for three boundaries in the first over. Rohit Sharma began the second over with consecutive boundaries, but left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj responded strongly.

Sharma and Rishabh Pant perished in their attempt to play the sweep shot to bring South Africa back into the contest. As of writing, India were placed at 23/2 after two overs at the time of writing.