India’s campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026 hit a major roadblock with a shocking 76-run defeat against South Africa in their opening Super 8 clash. This loss marks the biggest margin of defeat by runs in India’s T20 World Cup history, shattering the unbeaten streak they enjoyed during the group stage. The defeat has put Team India’s semifinal hopes in jeopardy, forcing captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid to rethink their batting lineup drastically.
With two crucial matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies on the horizon, India must secure massive victories to stay alive. Whispers in the camp suggest a bold inclusion: Sanju Samson could make his way into the playing XI, potentially at the expense of one of the struggling top-order batsmen – Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, or Rinku Singh.
Abhishek Sharma’s nightmare continued with three consecutive ducks before scraping 15 runs against South Africa. Tilak Varma has been stuck in a rut, managing 25, 25, 25, 31, and a mere 1 in his last five knocks. Rinku Singh fares no better, with scores of 6, 1, 11, 6, and 0 in recent outings. Their collective failure has exposed the left-hand heavy batting order, lacking balance.
Samson’s entry would inject a right-hander into the mix, vital for team equilibrium. The Rajasthan Royals star dazzled in his solitary group stage outing against Namibia, smashing 22 off 8 balls. Whether he opens or bolsters the middle order, Samson’s explosive potential could be the spark India needs. As selectors deliberate, all eyes are on who makes way – Abhishek’s inconsistency, Tilak’s stagnation, or Rinku’s silence with the bat?