3 reasons why India should stick with Sanju Samson as opener for T20 World Cup 2026

Sanju Samson has been promoted as an opener in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand.

The Indian Cricket Team are gearing up for ICC T20 World Cup 2026, where they look forward to defend their title. Following their unbeaten run in the T20I series since the last tournament, the Suryakumar Yadav & Co. are red-hot favourites to win the trophy once again.

Although India comprise a powerful set of bowlers and batters for the tournament, the final playing XI and batting order are a few issues they need to get fixed. With the start of 2026, India promoted Sanju Samson yet again as an opener following Shubman Gill’s ouster from the T20I squad.

Samson’s batting position has been shuffled multiple times in the past, however, he has managed to cement his place as a wicket-keeper batter with his match-winning performances.

After returning as an opener in the T20I series against New Zealand, Samson has struggled to regain his rhythm. Nevertheless, the Men-in-Blue should retain him as an opener for the T20 World Cup 2026 for the following three reasons.

3 reasons why India should stick with Sanju Samson as opener for T20 World Cup 2026

3. Lefty-Righty Combination

Abhishek Sharma is a permanent opener for India in T20Is and has shown his mettle with a stunning form since his debut in 2024. Since he is a left-handed batter, Samson will provide a lefty-right combination at the top. This will help India to trouble opposition bowlers and overpower field settings. Also, the duo gel well as an opening pair and keeping them together at the top would help India in World Cup.

2. Extensive Experience

Samson has played as a top-order batter for many years in Indian Premier League (IPL) and domestic cricket. He has also played a significant number of games as an opener for the Indian Cricket Team.

In the current squad, he is far more experienced than any other batter in the opening slot. Therefore, with his vast experience, he is a perfect choice to open the batting for India.

1. Record as opener

Sanju Samson has been tried at various positions in India’s T20I team over the years but he has been quite successful as an opener. Although he has struggled at the top spot in the ongoing T20I series against the Black Caps, he grabbed the spotlight as an opener in the past.

In 2024, the wicket-keeper batter hammered three centuries while batting as an opener. Moreover, the 31-year-old has a strike rate of over 175 and accounts for three tons and one fifty at the top slot across 21 games.

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