India experiment with opening pair ahead of T20 World Cup

Thursday, 5 February 2026 02:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sanju Samson (left) loses opening spot to Ishan Kishan

After a poor display in the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand, Sanju Samson has lost his opening slot again, this time to in-form Ishan Kishan. India played a 5-match T20I series against the Kiwis in which Samson could reach double-figures just once.

Kishan on the other hand proved his mettle with a century and some breath-taking knocks in the series.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, India sent Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma to open the innings against South Africa in the warm-up match at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday (4).

“Going to bat first. I’ve heard there might be dew later on, so we want to challenge our bowlers. Want to test ourselves tonight. Definitely Ishan and Abhishek (to open). When you play the sport, it comes with a lot of responsibility. Pressure is always there. But at the same time, there’s so many people coming out to support you. Gives you an extra advantage. Just want to follow what we’ve been doing in the last one and a half years. Continue those good habits,” said Suryakumar Yadav after winning the toss.

With Tilak Varma available for the World Cup, Samson looks set to warm the bench in India’s title defence.

Varma, who had proved his fitness and preparedness for the T20 World Cup after an injury lay-off in the previous outing for India A here two nights ago, was cleaned up by Marco Jansen after he had raced to 45 off only 19 balls with three sixes and as many fours.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav (30 off 16 balls; 2 fours, 2 sixes) also looked to maximise his time in the middle even though his trademark leg-side flicks did not always come out well. Suryakumar also enjoyed a lifeline when he was dropped on 18.