Sanju Samson is under pressure while Ishan Kishan makes a statement
The pressure on Samson is slowly but surely increasing to maintain his opening position. In the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, Samson has endured consecutive low scores, failing to get India off to a strong start despite topping the rankings. Given the short lead time to the 2026 T20 World Cup, every outing is now viewed through the lens of long-term selection.
On the other hand, Kishan has returned to the international scene with a bang. Batting at number three in the second T20I, the left-hander hit a breathtaking 76 off just 32 balls, setting India on a chase of 209 runs inside 16 overs. His fearless strokeplay and natural aggression have led many to wonder whether he could be a more suitable opening partner for him Abhishek Sharma move forward.
Of Tilak Varma With India expected to return from injury later in the series, India are suddenly spoiled for choice. The battle for spots has intensified, and Samson’s struggle has inevitably fueled speculation about a possible reshuffle at the top.
Ravichandran Ashwin on the possibility of Kishan replacing Samson as opener
Amid the noise, former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has spoken out strongly in defense of Samson. On his YouTube channel, Ashwin dismissed the idea of making quick changes based on a few games, warning against reactionary selection calls.
Ashwin emphasized that cutting and changing players depending on form in the short term can damage team culture and confidence. He pointed out that Samson had only recently been reinstated as an opener and deserved a longer period to express himself. According to Ashwin, penalizing a batsman for stepping out while playing an attacking shot sends the wrong message, especially in T20 cricket where intent is paramount.
“It’s way too early to think about dropping him. If India continues to do such circus acts by playing Sanju when he was doing well before, and now Kishan because he’s playing well now, I don’t need to tell you how things will turn out for India. It’s not ideal in the dressing room. There is a lot of competition for places, but it’s too early for this change,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
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The veteran spinner also emphasized that Samson’s dismissal in the second T20I was not due to panic or poor decision-making. Instead, it was an instinctive attacking option that simply didn’t work – something essential to modern T20 batting.
“It will be very unfair. This opening combination has only been reversed in the last two games. A player has gone out with an attacking shot. If you punish him for that and put him on the bench, how can you witness the best of that player? It wasn’t that there was a rush of blood or that he wasn’t calm. He just saw the ball and went for it (2nd T20I result). That’s how you had to hit instinctively, but it just didn’t go the way he wanted,” he added.
High hopes as India plan to defend the title
As India looks ahead to the 2026 T20 World Cup, the team management faces a delicate balancing act. Both Samson and Kishan are match winners in their own right and can switch games within a few overs. While Kishan’s explosive return has strengthened his case, Samson’s ability to anchor and accelerate remains highly valued. With a full schedule and fierce competition for places, consistency and clarity are crucial.
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