The India Cricket Team have exactly 10 T20Is left before they take on the USA in the T20 World Cup 2026 opener on February 7 in Mumbai. Suryakumar Yadav & Co will play the five-match IND vs SA T20 series, starting December 9 and five more against New Zealand from January 11 to wrap up preparations. These 10 T20Is will be the countdown to the mega event in February-March. And, even though the Gautam Gambhir-coached side has almost all bases covered, there are two spots that are still up for grabs. Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma are fighting for the wicketkeeper’s spot, while another slot will be for a seam-bowling all-rounder.
Since their triumph in Barbados in 2024, Team India have played 32 matches, winning 24 of them, losing just 4. Team India have won about 82% of their matches. With Abhishek Sharma offering a solid attacking option in the powerplay and the middle-order also comprising some good hitters, India have way too many options in T20s with a too deep a bench strength in batting. With Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav covering the pace and spin gaps, India are looking beyond solid. Then, what could the IND vs SA T20 series offer? The answer is role clarity.
The Shubman Gill problem
As long as Shubman Gill was busy in red-ball cricket, India’s T20 side looked set. But Gill returned to the fold not just as the opener, but also as the vice-captain, giving him immunity from getting dropped. His inclusion, which some still believe is unnecessary, has forced the team management to drop Sanju Samson from the opening slot. The only place Samson has now is in the middle order or as a finisher. Samson is not comfortable with either.
Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson offered a solid and blazing start for India. With the matches in India and on flat decks in the T20 World Cup, that opening pair would have been a hit. But now, in Gill, India have a batter who does not give blazing starts. Instead, he can bat deep to finish off matches. And with him certain to play, Samson will have to get familiarised with the new spot.
However, unlike Gill, Samson lacks role clarity. Since Gill’s return in Asia Cup, Samson has batted at 3, 5 and was slotted in at 8. In Australia, he was dropped for Jitesh Sharma after just one innings. But Samson might not be to blame. It’s the combination that has often dictated terms. Gambhir and Suryakumar have said in public that apart from the openers, no one has a stable batting position. They demand flexibility, something Samson might not be able to offer.
Jitesh Sharma or Sanju Samson?
The five-match IND vs SA T20Is could be a hint of things to come. This will be the full-strength India T20I side, except for one spot. The wicketkeeper’s spot is a shoot-off between Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma. If Jitesh gets the first three games, he could very well be India’s keeper in the T20 World Cup if he shines as a finisher. In three innings, Jitesh got in Australia, he scored 0 off 2, 22 off 13 and 3 off 4. That 22 off 13 came at No 7. Now, if Jitesh continues to finish games well, at least in two matches, Samson will have to extend his stay on the bench.
For Sanju Samson to return to the Playing XI and cement his spot for T20 World Cup, he needs to take all the chances he gets. In his new role, Samson has batted five times, averaging 26.80. But his strike rate has dipped to 121.81. That’s not ideal when the role is to just hit and not anchor. If Samson gets game time in the IND vs SA T20 series, his task will be to play as the finisher. However, he did not prepare for that role in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He opened in all matches for Kerala, averaging 58.25 and striking at 137.86. Samson also had four 40+ scores and two half-centuries.
Shivam Dube or Washington Sundar?
With Hardik Pandya returning, India have got the balance back. Hardik can fill in as the second pacer and can also score some quick runs as a No 6 or No 7. In that set-up, the choice of pitch will dictate who will be the other all-rounder, as Axar Patel has proven his mettle already.
Shivam Dube could do the job if it’s a slow surface. On high-scoring pitches, it would be better to back a specialist bowler. However, considering how all-rounder-obsessed Gambhir is, that will be doubtful. Washington Sundar has been a part-time bowler in T20s. Hence, India may not go with him on a high-scoring pitch. Instead, Arshdeep Singh or Harshit Rana could come in.
India squad for IND vs SA T20 series
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar
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