When Ishan Kishan took the field against New Zealand in the fifth T20I on Saturday, cricket fans interpreted it as a sign that Sanju Samson might not be chosen for a spot in India’s T20 World Cup Playing XI in 2026. Notably, Samson failed to deliver a strong performance in the just concluded five-match series, whilst Ishan finished with 215 runs from four innings.
Suryakumar Yadav, India’s captain, was asked to quell the the topic from arising any further – as to why Ishan kept wickets ahead of Samson, who had done so until the fourth T20I. The captain said Ishan’s takeover of the gloves in the last two games had been planned from before the series. But a niggling in the fourth match also deprived Ishan of assuming the responsibility.
“Both wicketkeepers were part of the XI from game one since Tilak wasn’t available. Before the series started, we had already decided that Sanju would keep in three games and Ishan in two. Unfortunately, Ishan Kishan missed the last game due to a niggle, but otherwise he was scheduled to keep today anyway. These are the kinds of decisions and competition you expect before a World Cup,” Suryakumar was quoted as saying by India Today.
The 35-year-old was also questioned whether Ishan would stay in the playing XI by opening or if the Men in Blue will stick to Samson’s combination with Abhishek Sharma. As long as there was no clarity on the question, Tilak Varma’s injury opened up space for team management to give Ishan less game time, irrespective of where he bats.
“We’ve always known what Ishan brings to the table. We saw how he performed in domestic cricket just before this series. We wanted him to bat the same way and not change his identity – whether opening or batting at No. 3.”
Suryakumar Yadav
With Tilak on pace for a recovery ahead of the T20 World Cup, Ishan appears to have solidified his position as Abhishek’s first-choice opening partner. Samson, in his current shape, could be seen warming the bench and bringing beverages throughout the event.
