IND vs SA: 3 reasons why Sanju Samson could replace Tilak Varma for Super 8 clash of T20 World Cup 2026

Sanju Samson has played only one game in T20 World Cup 2026.

Indian Cricket Team are gearing up for the Super 8 of T20 World Cup 2026, where they will lock horns with South Africa in their opening game. The IND vs SA will be the 42nd game of the tournament, scheduled to be played on Sunday, February 22, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Notably, India made a few changes to their XI in the previous games due to conditions, and injuries. While their bowling unit has performed at its best, batters need to buckle up as the Super 8 stage approaches. In the top order, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma have struggled to score runs, while Ishan Kishan has looked a class apart.

India might make a few changes for the Super 8 round and one among them could be Sanju Samson‘s addition. There have been some reports which suggested that he is likely to replace Varma at three. On that note, below are three reasons why Samson should replace Varma for IND vs SA match in T20 World Cup 2026.

Reasons why Sanju Samson should be preferred over Tilak Varma in IND vs SA encounter

3. Tilak Varma’s poor strike rate and struggles against spin

While Varma has managed to score runs against pacers, he has struggled against spinners. His inability to rotate strike and take spinners down have made things slow for India. The left-handed batter has got out for 25, 25, 25, and 31 in the four matches so far. He owns a strike rate of 120.45, which justifies his inability to score at a high strike rate.

2. Right-hand option in top-order to tackle off-spinners

Notably, Ishan, Abhishek, and Varma take the top three slots for India in T20 World Cup and all of them are left-handers. Hence, adding right-handed batsman Sanju will help the team with a right-left option in the top order.

Moreover, it will also help to tackle off-spinners, who troubled India in the last few games. Adding Samson to XI would allow India to target spinners right from the start and it surely takes away the advantage from oppositions.

1. Sanju Samson’s good record in Ahmedabad

The IND vs SA clash will take place at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where Samson owns a brilliant record. He has scored 37 runs in the one T20I game he played at this venue, which was against South Africa.

In Indian Premier League, he has featured in 13 games at this venue and scored 276 runs at an average of 25.09 and a strike rate of 133.33. He has also scored one half-century in Ahmedabad- his highest score of 60 at the venue against the Gujarat Titans (GT).

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