T20 World Cup 2026: Will Sanju Samson return to Team India’s playing XI?

India’s campaign in the Super Eight stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup has hit an early roadblock after a crushing defeat to South Africa, prompting serious discussions within the team management about reshuffling the top order. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has indicated that introducing a right-handed opener such as Sanju Samson could help counter the repeated setbacks caused by opposition off-spinners.

So far, India’s left-handed opening combination has struggled to provide stability. Abhishek Sharma’s lean run continued as he managed just 15 runs across four innings, including three ducks. Tilak Varma, though slightly more productive with 107 runs in five outings, has also found it difficult to anchor the innings consistently. The pattern has been worrying - rival teams have frequently started with part-time off-spin, exploiting the left-heavy top order and striking early blows.

In the latest match, India’s chase of 188 never truly gained momentum. Early dismissals of Ishan Kishan, Abhishek, and Tilak left the middle order under immense pressure. Despite a fighting effort from Shivam Dube, the innings folded for 111, highlighting the fragile start that has become a recurring theme.

Addressing the issue in the post-match press conference, Doeschate pointed out that in four of the five matches so far, India have lost an early wicket to off-spin. The only exception came against the USA, when Abhishek fell to pacer Ali Khan. Beginning an innings at 0/1 or with minimal runs on the board has repeatedly forced the middle order particularly Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak to rebuild rather than accelerate.

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With Sanju Samson waiting in the wings, the team has the option of injecting a right-handed presence at the top. However, his recent numbers present another dilemma. Since 2025, Samson has scored 290 runs in 17 innings, raising questions about form and consistency. The management must now weigh whether to persist with players who have delivered steadily over the past year and a half or to gamble on a tactical switch.

Ten Doeschate admitted that the decision will not be straightforward. Backing proven performers despite a temporary slump carries its own logic, but so does altering the combination to disrupt opposition strategies. As India prepare for crucial Super Eight clashes against Zimbabwe and the West Indies, the debate over whether Samson should replace Tilak  or be slotted in as a right-handed opener is set to intensify.