![Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan [Source: AFP, screengrab]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1770371869606_IshanKishan.jpg?type=hq)
Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan [Source: AFP, screengrab]
Suryakumar Yadav has seemingly shut the door on Sanju Samson’s face while asserting India’s best playing XI for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Instead, the Indian skipper leaned towards Ishan Kishan owing to the latter’s recent insurgence in the lead-up to the showpiece event.
Suryakumar Yadav also shrugged off the need of a left-right opening combination, claiming that opening batters should be selected on merit and according to the players that are best suited for the team.
Suryakumar Yadav advocates for Ishan Kishan as opener
Ishan Kishan seems to have officially snatched away India’s opening position from Sanju Samson just in time for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
While speaking with the reporters during a pre-match press conference, India captain Suryakumar Yadav praised Kishan’s recent form in internationals as well as in domestic cricket for Jharkhand.
He said, “Ishan Kishan has been tremendous. Not only for India now but the we he played in domestic, he has carried forward that confidence. He'll do well in the tournament.”
Suryakumar Yadav also shrugged off the absolute necessity of having a left-right combination at the top of the order, thus seemingly dashing Sanju Samson’s opening ambition before the showpiece event.
He added, “It's a good headache. Left right combination is overrated. You have practiced a lot for all. Your job is to do the best for the team.”
Ishan Kishan usurps Sanju Samson with prolific NZ series
Ishan Kishan recently made his return to India’s T20I side for the five-match series against New Zealand last month. In four innings, the blistering left-hander bludgeoned 215 runs at an average of 53.75 and a strike rate of 231.18. The cricketer clattered 103 off those runs from just 43 deliveries in the fifth match to hammer down his maiden T20I century.
Ishan Kishan also sustained his newfound momentum with a whirlwind 20-ball 53 against South Africa in the warm-up match of the 2026 T20 World Cup a couple of days ago.
In contrast, Sanju Samson failed to make the most of his opportunity at the top of the order against New Zealand. The senior opener minted just 46 runs from five innings at a dismal average of 9.20. Interestingly enough, Sanju Samson himself was promoted as India opener for the series in place of struggling vice-captain Shubman Gill.
India gears up for T20 World Cup 2026 opening day
In an exhilarating triple-header to kick-off the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on February 7, tournament co-hosts India will play the third of the three scheduled games. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the ‘Men in Blue’ will go up against the USA team at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and the action will commence from 7:00 PM IST onwards.
The defending champions will head into the showpiece event on a trail of successive T20I series wins in Australia and against South Africa and New Zealand at home.
The Indian cricket team also won the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup in the UAE last year with an unbeaten run. It is worth noting that Team India has not lost a single T20I assignment, bilateral or a multi-nation event, since August 2023.
