Ahmedabad buzzes with anticipation as India gears up for a crucial Super 8 clash against South Africa on Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Topping the group stage, the Men in Blue have qualified comfortably, but their opening batting woes persist. With regular opener Abhishek Sharma struggling, the team management is mulling a return for wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson to partner Ishan Kishan at the top.
Abhishek Sharma entered the T20 World Cup on a high, riding his explosive form and holding the No. 1 T20I batter ranking. However, tournament reality hit hard. In three outings, he’s failed to open his account, dismissed for ducks each time. This string of failures has rattled his confidence and exposed India’s top-order fragility.
During Friday evening’s net session under lights, Samson hogged the spotlight. He faced a barrage of pace and spin, batting for extended periods and looking in sublime touch. Head coach Gautam Gambhir engaged in a lengthy chat with Abhishek before surprisingly handing him the ball to bowl to Samson. This unusual drill has fueled speculation that Samson could reclaim his spot in the playing XI against South Africa.
India’s batting lineup leans heavily on left-handers, giving opponents a tactical edge with match-ups. Introducing Samson’s right-handed flair could disrupt that balance. His T20I record against South Africa speaks volumes: 253 runs in five matches at a staggering strike rate over 190, including two centuries.
Namibia was Samson’s only World Cup appearance so far, but his domestic and IPL exploits underline his readiness. As India fine-tunes combinations ahead of the knockout race, Samson’s inclusion might just be the spark needed to ignite their campaign. Fans await captain Rohit Sharma’s final call, but signs point to a potential opener shake-up.