Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson? Who will open for India against South Africa in T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up clash tonight?

Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are wicket-keepers in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026.

As a final preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, India will face South Africa in a warm-up match. This match will be held on February 4 at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Although the Men in Blue have a strong team for the tournament, the final playing 11 is still a major concern for them.

For India, the biggest question is who should be the opener alongside Abhishek Sharma. Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are two options for the same. Both are two wicket-keepers in India’s squad for the tournament. Hence, India also need to figure out which wicket-keeper batter to go ahead with in the final XI.

Samson has been a regular member of the T20I side for the last two years and has a lot of experience under his belt. On the other hand, Kishan has impressed with his impeccable batting performances in recent times.

Who should open for India in the warm-up match against South Africa?

India clashed with New Zealand in a five-match T20I series last month. In the campaign, Sanju Samson was part of the playing XI in all five games and was given the opening slot.

However, the right-handed batsman completely flopped with his performance, scoring just 46 runs. Getting out for 10, 6, 0, 24, and 6, he failed to make a mark with the bat.

On the other hand, Ishan Kishan gave a glimpse of his batting might by ending as the second-highest run-scorer with 215 runs in four games. At an average of 53.75 and a strike rate of 231.18, the left-handed batter grabbed the spotlight while batting at number three.

With a match-winning half-century in the second game, he was adjudged Player of the Match. In the fifth T20I, he hammered his maiden T20I century, smacking 103 runs off 43 balls. With the knock, he also broke multiple batting records.

Hence, Kishan has justified his selection as an opener in India’s playing XI. Moreover, with Tilak Varma returning to the side in the warm-up match against the Proteas, Kishan cannot take the number three slot anymore. Hence, it will be a good decision to move him up the order and allow him to open with Sharma.

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