Suryakumar Yadav reveals why Ishan Kishan kept wickets ahead of Sanju Samson in 5th T20I

Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson [Source: @LoyalSachinFan, @Akshatgoel1408/x.com]

The wicketkeeper debate in Indian cricket never really sleeps. One good knock, one bad series and suddenly the gloves become the hottest topic in the room. And after the fifth T20I against New Zealand in Trivandrum, the chatter only got louder, especially when Ishan Kishan kept wickets ahead of Sanju Samson, right after smashing a sensational century.

It looked like a loud message from the team management. Many felt it was basically a teaser of what is coming next and that Sanju Samson might be the one missing out when India plays their 2026 T20 World Cup opener against USA on Saturday. But India captain Suryakumar Yadav has now stepped in and put the whole thing in simple words.

“We decided it before the series” Suryakumar explains the plan

Suryakumar Yadav revealed that India had already decided to split wicketkeeping duties between their two keepers. Sanju Samson was supposed to keep wickets in the first three matches. And Ishan Kishan was going to do it in the last two.

Surya said both keepers were playing from game one since Tilak Varma wasn’t available, and the team stuck to the plan they made pre-series.

He also added that Kishan missed the fourth game because of a niggle, but even if he had been fit, he was always supposed to keep wickets in the fifth match anyway.

“I think both the keepers were playing since game one, as Tilak [Varma] was not available," Suryakumar said. “So, we had decided before the series that three games will be kept by Sanju Samson and two games will be kept by Ishan. Ishan unfortunately missed the last game because of a niggle but he was anyway going to keep wickets in this match," SKY said.

The timing couldn’t have been more dramatic. Kishan just hammered a brilliant hundred in the first innings. Then he came out and kept wickets. That is why it felt like India were preparing him for bigger things, especially with the T20 World Cup opener around the corner.

Samson’s poor series made things worse for him

Sanju Samson was clearly given a golden window in this series. Tilak Varma being unavailable meant India had space. And Samson had the gloves for the first three games too. But it just didn’t click.

He managed only 46 runs in the series, with an average of 9.20. In T20 cricket, you don’t get unlimited chances. Especially not when the World Cup is staring you in the face.

Kishan grabbed the opportunity like a seasoned match-winner

While Samson struggled to get going, Ishan Kishan made sure nobody forgets his name. With Tilak absent, Kishan got to bat in the top three and he absolutely cashed in. He scored 215 runs in the series at an average of 53.75 and a strike rate of 231.18.

And in a team where you are fighting for a spot, performances like this lock the door behind you.

Kishan still looked shaky behind the stumps

Even though Kishan is currently miles ahead on the batting front, there is still a small concern. He didn’t look fully comfortable behind the stumps in the fifth T20I and missed a few chances.

And in World Cup cricket, missed chances can hurt like a punch in the gut. This is where Samson still has an edge. Because as a keeper, he is naturally cleaner and more confident.

What this means for India’s T20 World Cup opener

Even if Surya says the wicketkeeping switch was pre-planned, it’s tough to ignore the bigger picture.

Ishan Kishan is in red-hot form. Sanju Samson has had a shocker of a series. And selections at this stage are simple, you pick the man in form. You don’t gamble.

Unless something changes dramatically, Kishan looks set to start ahead of Samson for India’s opening World Cup game.