ZIM vs IND: Should India drop Abhishek Sharma from T20Is & bring back Sanju Samson?
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Abhishek Sharma failed to score in first two ZIM vs IND T20Is.
India have made a positive start to the Zimbabwe tour after ending their losing streak in T20Is with a comfortable win in the opening match of the three-game series. After losing back-to-back series against Ireland and England, the Men in Blue finally found their rhythm in Harare and will be looking to carry forward the same momentum.
The first T20I between Zimbabwe and India was quite one-sided as the visitors dominated the game from the start. The youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a record-breaking half-century, while Mayank Yadav impressed everyone on his comeback as he took two wickets.
With a 1- 0 lead in the series, India will enter the second T20I to seal the series. However, the team management made one change to the playing XI ahead of the match. The fast bowler Yash Thakur made his T20I debut, replacing Ashok Sharma, who made his international debut in the first game
However, another talking point emerged around the opening combination after Abhishek Sharma once again failed to convert his start into a big one. Notably, he managed just 1 runs off 8 balls in first match.
Abishek Sharma began the second T20I on a positive note by hitting two boundaries. However, his innings ended quickly after scoring just 8 runs from 8 balls.
Abhishek Sharma is struggling with his form and lack of consistency in recent matches. Before this dismissal, he had managed only 30 runs in his previous four T20I innings.
Should India bring back Sanju Samson in place of Abhishek Sharma?
Abhishek’s early dismissal has once again sparked a debate about whether India should consider bringing back Sanju Samson into the T20I setup.
Samson was not picked for the Zimbabwe series despite being part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning squad and the player of the tournament.
Abhishek is one of the most impressive T20 batters, but his recent form has certainly increased the pressure. He is currently the No.2 ranked batter in ICC T20I rankings; however, his form in 2026 has been a cause of concern.
He will have another opportunity in last match, but if the inconsistent form continues in the coming matches, the selectors could bring back Samson in his place.
Why is Sanju Samson not part of India’s Zimbabwe tour?
The BCCI did not provide an official reason for Sanju Samson’s being left out of the T20I squad for the Zimbabwe series.
Where is the second T20I between India and Zimbabwe being played?
The second T20I between India and Zimbabwe is being played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe.
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Amit Patel is a passionate sports enthusiast and a devoted Virat Kohli admirer who proudly supports Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Having been involved in sports from a young age, he has played chess at the district level and represented his college in various competitions. Amit closely follows Indian cricket, with a special interest in tracking young talents and rising stars making their mark at the highest level. Alongside his love for the game, he is an experienced sports content writer who enjoys crafting stories that connect with fans.