Form vs faith: Sanju Samson’s slide opens door as Ishan Kishan storms into India’s T20 World Cup plans

Despite the turbulence that has marked India’s transition under a new management group led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, especially in Tests and to some extent in ODIs, the shortest format has remained a sanctuary. Even with structural changes and high-profile retirements, India’s T20I juggernaut has barely slowed since lifting the T20 World Cup in Bridgetown in June 2024. Yet, as the defending champions prepare to host the 2026 edition alongside Sri Lanka, one major selection dilemma threatens to disturb an otherwise smooth build-up: Sanju Samson’s form and his place in India’s playing XI.

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On paper, India look perfectly positioned to defend their crown. Since the World Cup triumph over South Africa, they have won 33 of their 41 T20Is, losing only six. A recent 4–1 home series win over New Zealand underlined their depth and adaptability in familiar conditions. With stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja stepping away from T20Is, a new core has emerged — faster, more fearless, and unapologetically aggressive.




That philosophy was evident when India named their 15-member squad for the World Cup on December 20, 2025. Suryakumar Yadav leads a side brimming with versatility: Abhishek Sharma at the top, power through the middle with Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh, all-round depth in Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, and a varied bowling attack spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. The boldest call, however, was leaving out Shubman Gill to reinstate the Samson–Abhishek opening combination.

Sanju Samson in T20Is


At the time, the move drew little criticism. Samson’s credentials as an opener were built on a stunning run in late 2024. From October 2024 to February 2025, he scored 417 runs in 12 innings at an average of 37.91 and a strike rate of 183.7. The numbers were turbocharged by three centuries: 111 against Bangladesh, 107 against South Africa and an unbeaten 109 against South Africa again — each scored at a strike rate north of 190. Alongside Abhishek, Samson looked liberated, decisive and destructive.

That momentum, however, proved fragile. Samson lost his opening slot during the Asia Cup in September 2025, pushed down to No.3 and No.5, where his returns dipped. He managed just one fifty in five innings before being restored to the top of the order on the eve of the World Cup squad announcement. A 37 off 22 balls against South Africa hinted at revival, and the management doubled down by naming him Abhishek’s opening partner while dropping Gill.

Sanju Samson as opener in T20Is

The expectation was clear: Samson had one final audition to reaffirm his spot. Instead, the home series against New Zealand exposed the biggest crack in India’s otherwise polished T20 armour. While India cruised to a 4–1 series win, Samson endured a nightmare run — scores of 10, 6, 0, 24 and 6. Forty-six runs at an average of 9.2 from five innings is alarming by any measure, especially for a specialist top-order batter in home conditions.

What has compounded Samson’s predicament is the timing of Ishan Kishan’s resurgence. Recalled as the backup opener and wicketkeeper, Kishan seized his opportunity with ruthless clarity. Batting at No.3 in Tilak Varma’s absence, he hammered 76 off 32 balls in Raipur, followed by 28 off 13 in Guwahati and a blistering 103 off 43 in the series finale - with only blip being 8 in Nagpur. His aggregate — 215 runs at 53.75 with a strike rate of 231.19 — did more than strengthen India’s top order; it directly challenged Samson’s place at the top.

Sanju Samson vs Ishan Kishan (NZ T20Is in 2026)


Selection dilemmas are a luxury, but this one cuts deep. Tilak, Axar and Washington are returning from injury, which will already force reshuffling. When a fit-again Tilak returns in playing XI, accommodating Kishan becomes a genuine headache. Dropping a left-hander in such form, particularly one who offers wicketkeeping flexibility, goes against the management’s recent emphasis on momentum and match-ups.

Samson’s broader record adds another layer to the debate. He has now played 57 T20Is for India — 33 of them since the 2024 World Cup. In a format where only four Indians have crossed 100 appearances, Samson’s sample size is no longer small. Opportunities have been plentiful, and the New Zealand series was meant to be a statement phase, not a regression.

As Team India prepares to open their campaign on February 7 against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium, the question is unavoidable: does the management persist with Samson on past promises, or ride the present form of Ishan Kishan? For a team otherwise in cruise control, the answer could shape not just the opening combination, but the tone of India’s title defence at home.

India squad for 2026 T20 World Cup 2026

• Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh

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