India’s current top order for the tournament consists of several left-handers, who Kaif believes allows opposition teams to make better tactical plans, especially by fielding quality off-spinners against them.
Taking to social media, Kaif highlighted the potential imbalance in the batting line-up and underlined why having a right-handed option like Samson could strengthen India’s approach.
“India have far too many left-handers in the top order. This makes it easy for opponents to make tactical plans and pick off-spinners as ideal match-ups. Adding Sanju Samson to the mix could help,” Kaif wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
South Africa’s bowling attack offers variety, including pacers like Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen, and spin options like Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram, making India’s lineup decisions particularly important. With Abhishek Sharma failing against off-spinners in the last two encounters, it is all too clear that the Proteas will want to employ the services of their captain Markram’s bowling services. He is a powerful off-spin option and will certainly challenge left-handers.
India should include Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI: Sanjay Manjrekar
Amid all the talk about the Men in Blue’s batting order, top commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has come up with a unique suggestion.
He took to social media to give his opinion on India’s ideal team against South Africa. He believes that Kuldeep Yadav should play against Proteas, without mentioning who sits to accommodate the spinner.
“If anyone is concerned about batting, it is addressed by having batting depth. Why is no one thinking of making bowling stronger? Kuldeep today anyone?”, he wrote.
Kuldeep has played one match so far in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, against Pakistan. Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy are currently India’s two frontline spinners, ahead of Yadav.
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