T20 WC 2026: Has Samson lost his battle as an opener to Kishan?

Former India batter Aakash Chopra feels the race for India’s opening slot at the T20 World Cup has tilted decisively in Ishan Kishan’s favour, leaving Sanju Samson on the back foot. Chopra’s assessment came in the wake of Kishan’s blistering outing in India’s warm-up clash against South Africa, where the left-hander showcased his intent with an explosive half-century.

According to Chopra, Kishan’s knock has virtually settled the debate. He pointed out that the impact of such an innings, especially so close to the tournament, carries significant weight with the team management and selectors, effectively putting Kishan ahead in the pecking order.

In India’s second warm-up game at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, skipper Suryakumar Yadav revealed at the toss that Kishan would be tested at the top alongside Abhishek Sharma. Kishan grabbed the opportunity with both hands, hammering 53 runs off just 20 deliveries, laced with seven towering sixes. He chose to retire out in the sixth over to give Tilak Varma a chance to spend time in the middle, further underlining the team’s experimental approach.

Samson, who was initially seen as a strong contender to open in the World Cup, has struggled for form in recent times. His disappointing run against New Zealand where he scored only 46 runs across five matches at an average of 9.20, with 24 being his highest score, has dented his case. Kishan, on the other hand, forced his way into contention with a remarkable T20I series against the same opponents, piling up 215 runs at a staggering strike rate of 231.18, highlighted by a breathtaking 42-ball century in Thiruvananthapuram.

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Chopra also noted that Samson’s versatility could work against him. With a settled top order, Samson appears to be the only batter who may not have a fixed role in the playing XI and could be asked to slot in anywhere if circumstances demand.

He explained that unexpected situations such as injuries, illness, or sudden dips in form could open the door for Samson, but not necessarily in his preferred position. Chopra added that the warm-up phase was a crucial window for Samson to strengthen his case, and missing out on runs during this period could prove costly.

Samson did not take the field in the warm-up encounter, which India won by 30 runs, gaining valuable match practice. Given Kishan’s red-hot form and Samson’s recent struggles, Kishan now looks the frontrunner to open the innings when India begin their campaign against the United States on February 7 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.