Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan [Source: X]In what comes as a relief for Sanju Samson, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has spilt some hints on what the Indian team management’s preferences might be for the T20 World Cup 2026. With ongoing debate over keeping Sanju Samson in the playing XI, the Indian management has been at crossroads. However, Sitanshu Kotak’s recent revelation regarding Samson’s position, even after three consecutive failures in the New Zealand T20I series, speaks volumes about the trust the Kerala batter will continue to enjoy heading into the mega ICC tournament. Sanju Samson to feature in T20 World Cup 2026 Playing XI Speaking to RevSportz Global, Sitanshu Kotak appreciated Sanju Samson’s seniority while acknowledging that the cricketer hasn’t scored as many runs as expected in the ongoing series. “Sanju is a senior player. Probably he hasn't scored as many runs as he should have,” Kotak said. However, Kotak remained hopeful about prioritising Sanju Samson in the playing eleven, backing his potential with the bat and as an opener. “Our job is to keep him in good space. We all know what he is capable of,” Kotak added. Ishan Kishan's fate after 5th T20I vs NZThis development clouds Ishan Kishan’s chances of making the playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026, too. He has been the secondary choice as a wicketkeeper-batter in the lineup. If Tilak Varma returns from injury for the ICC event, Ishan Kishan is likely to be sidelined from the Playing XI, who was currently batting at No. 3 in the NZ series.However, with the upcoming T20I, Sitanshu Kotak shared that the 'pocket dynamo' might feature in the Thiruvananthapuram clash, as he was ruled out of the fourth T20I due to a minor niggle. “Kishan will likely play. Physio will take the call,” Kotak said for Kishan. Interestingly, in the New Zealand series, Ishan Kishan has returned with better numbers than Sanju Samson. Kishan averaged 37.33 from his three games and also scored an explosive 32-ball 76. In contrast, Sanju Samson had single-digit returns in the second and third T20Is and managed only a 15-ball 24 in the fourth T20I at Visakhapatnam. Washington Sundar set to return before T20 World Cup In other news, injury-hit Washington Sundar, who suffered a left lower rib injury while bowling in the first ODI and was ruled out of the entire ODI and T20I series, is set to resume bowling in the next few days. After receiving fitness clearance from the physio team, he is expected to rejoin the squad soon, further clarifying his availability for the T20 World Cup 2026, which is just a week away. Likely preference for India’s Playing XI in T20 WC 2026 Nevertheless, with Sanju Samson’s batting position and chances of featuring in the playing eleven still intact, India’s strategy for the T20 World Cup 2026 appears largely chalked out. Captain Suryakumar Yadav has also implied that the New Zealand games are being treated as simulations and warm-up matches ahead of the mega ICC tournament. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma are set to open in the T20 World Cup 2026, with Tilak Varma likely to bat at number three. Suryakumar Yadav, alongside Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, are also expected to be part of the regular playing XI, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the pace attack. However, there remains debate over the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, as only one of them is likely to secure a permanent spot in the playing eleven.
