IPL 2020: Wicketkeepers glove major chunk of attention in initial phase of the tourney

Dubai - The biggest talk has been around the way Sanju Samson of Rajasthan Royals and Lokesh Rahul, captain of Kings XI Punjab have simply taken off in this tournament.

The first week of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 has gone by and all the talk has been around wicket-keepers, especially because of their exploits on the outfield and with the bat.
Let us start with the most famous name behind the stumps, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. As expected, all the chatter has been around the batting position of this famous name of Chennai Super Kings. He has come in later than expected and has not struck gold like he would in his salad days.
But the disappointment around Dhoni has been replaced by the excitement around some of his possible successors in India's white-ball squads.
The biggest talk has been around the way Sanju Samson of Rajasthan Royals and Lokesh Rahul, captain of Kings XI Punjab have simply taken off in this tournament. Samson especially has made Sharjah Cricket Stadium his own with his fearless hitting and has earned a lot of admirers from around the globe.
His biggest supporter is in the Rajasthan Royals squad and that is the mentor of the franchise, legendary Shane Warne. "Sanju Samson, what a player he is. I have said for a long time and I think he is probably one of the most exciting players I have seen for a long time. I am surprised that he is not playing all forms of cricket for India," said Warne, in an Instagram live session done by the Rajasthan Royals.
At the other end Rahul has single handedly transformed Punjab with his breathtaking approach. This season's first centurion, Rahul, is doing a triple role as captain, 'keeper and opener of Punjab.
Rahul has the good fortune of having his statemate and former India captain Anil Kumble as Director of Cricket at Punjab. "KL (Rahul) is very relaxed, very mature. I have known him for a long time, he has international experience having played this long. The last couple of seasons he's been part of the Kings XI side, (our) main player so he knows the team and the youngsters really well," Kumble had praised Rahul before the season.
The original heir apparent to Dhoni, Pant has sort of moved down the pecking order. While, Mumbai Indians' Ishan Kishan has come good in his very first match, but he played purely as a batsman.
Former India wicket-keeper Kiran More is a guy who has worked with all the young claimants to hone their skills, is 'excited' about the talents on offer and advises patience with all of them especially Pant.
"They are all special talents...KL, Sanju, Ishan, Rishabh. KL has just started keeping and has done a good job. All are good 'keepers. We wicket-keepers mature nicely by when we are about 24 or 25. Once they settle down you will see them do well at levels. Sanju has improved a lot, Ishan has been a special talent," said More in a chat with Khaleej Times.
The moment of the tournament thus far has also come from a 'keeper Kings XI Punjab's Nicholas Pooran with his classic boundary save.
"'Keepers are also doing well on the outfield too. I am excited because they are all at their peak and the next 10 years could be theirs especially KL, Ishan, Rishabh and Sanju," added More.
Chandresh Narayanan is an Indian sports journalist

• IPL 2019