Gautam Gambhir Advocates New Role for Sanju Samson in T20 World Cup vs Zimbabwe
Following India’s disappointing 76-run defeat to South Africa in their T20 World Cup Super 8 opener, the team faces pressing selection challenges. The batting lineup, heavily reliant on left-handed players, is under scrutiny as inconsistency looms.
Call for Sanju Samson’s Inclusion
Former cricketer Parthiv Patel has voiced strong support for reintroducing Sanju Samson into the playing XI. Samson is expected to play for the Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming IPL 2026 season and could see a return to international cricket against Zimbabwe in Chennai.
A New Role for Samson
- Patel suggests that Samson should be placed at No. 3 in the batting order.
- This would mark a significant shift as he has typically opened for India leading up to the T20 World Cup.
- Patel believes a right-hander in that position could provide a fresh perspective for the batting lineup.
“If he doesn’t play, then Suryakumar Yadav must bat at three,” Patel stated. This adjustment is seen as crucial to improving the team’s dynamics against off-spinners, given the left-handed batting struggles. Patel’s insights highlight an urgent need for effective strategies in the ongoing tournament.
Inclusion of Axar Patel
Parthiv Patel also advocates for the return of all-rounder Axar Patel. Axar was excluded against South Africa as the management opted for a different bowling strategy. Despite this decision, Patel argues that his experience and past performances merit his inclusion.
“I would like to see Axar Patel coming back into the team. He has played crucial knocks in the past,” added Patel. His comments reflect the urgency for India to strengthen its squad as they prepare to face Zimbabwe on Thursday.
With looming decisions ahead, the cricketing community watches closely. The selection strategies employed by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav remain pivotal for India’s prospects in the T20 World Cup 2026.
