IND vs PAK: Why did Sanju Samson miss T20 World Cup 2026 match 27?
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Sanju Samson was part of India’s previous game against Namibia.
The much-awaited clash of the T20 World Cup 2026, India vs Pakistan, has arrived. Both teams are placed in Group A in the tournament alongside the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. India are taking on Pakistan on February 15 (Sunday) at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Both India and Pakistan have won two games each in the T20 World Cup 2026. They won their respective games and have four points in their kitty. While India crushed the USA and Namibia in their first two matches, Pakistan outplayed the Netherlands and the USA in their first two matches.
With four points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +3.050, India are placed in the top spot in the points table. Pakistan are placed in the second place with an equal number of points and an NRR of +0.932.
India suffered a blow at the start as Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first in the match. At the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav informed that Sanju Samson is not part of India’s playing XI. Abhishek Sharma replaced him in the match.
Why is Sanju not part of India’s playing XI against Pakistan?
Abhishek and Ishan Kishan are the openers for India in the T20 World Cup 2026. Abhishek played the first game against the USA, where he was dismissed for a golden duck.
After that, he missed the previous game against Namibia due to a stomach infection. Although he recovered from the issue in time, he was rested as a precaution.
In his absence, Samson was added to the playing XI against Namibia. He opened the batting with Kishan but failed to make a mark with the bat, getting out for 22 runs off eight balls. As Abhishek is back in the playing 11, Samson was dropped in the clash against Pakistan.
India’s playing XI against Pakistan:
Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah.
What is the venue of the IND vs PAK match in the T20 World Cup 2026?
R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is the venue of the match.
Why is Sanju Samson not part of India’s playing XI in the IND vs PAK game?
As Abhishek is back in the playing 11, Samson was dropped in the clash against Pakistan.
Who has replaced Sanju Samson in India’s playing XI against Pakistan?
Abhishek Sharma has replaced Sanju in India’s playing XI against Pakistan.
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Vikas Singh Derek is a core cricket-lover since childhood and has always followed the sport both in his personal and professional life. He started his school life by watching cricket at home with family. Later, he played cricket on the field at local clubs during college. After his Master's in Journalism from Mumbai, he followed his passion by covering cricket news across various digital media. Since 2015, he has been an aspiring sports journalist and cricket content writer with over 50K+ articles.