Toss-up between Sanju and Ishan Kishan

Former opener and ex-KKR batter Aakash Chopra believes that Sanju Samson is not yet a certainty in Team India’s playing XI for the 2026 T20 World Cup. According to Chopra, either one of Samson or Ishan Kishan could feature as the preferred keeper-batter in the Indian playing XI, depending on their performance in the next few matches of the ongoing home series against New Zealand.

India are currently taking on the Kiwis in a five-match T20I series, which is the last assignment for both sides before the 2026 T20 World Cup that begins on February 7. The Men in Blue beat New Zealand by 48 runs in the first T20I in Nagpur on Wednesday, January 21. While the hosts registered a comprehensive win, both Samson and comeback man Kishan fell cheaply.

During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, Chopra opined it is too early to conclude that Samson has sealed his berth in the playing XI for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The former India opener commented:

“I’m not 100% certain yet because I think eventually it will be a toss-up between Sanju and Ishan Kishan. The next few games might actually give us an answer.”

Samson was dismissed for 10 off seven balls in Nagpur, chipping a delivery from Kyle Jamieson straight to midwicket. Kishan, playing his first T20I since November 2023, was out for eight off five ball. The left-handed batter mistimed one to cover off Jacob Duffy’s bowling.

“It’s between half full or half empty” – Aakash Chopra on Suryakumar Yadav’s knock in 1st IND vs NZ 2026 T20I

While Samson and Kishan failed to make an impact in Nagpur, under-fire skipper Suryakumar Yadav gave glimpses of his old self. He scored a fluent 32 off 22 balls, hitting four fours and a six before perishing to his opposite number Mitchell Santner. Even as the 35-year-old looked in good touch during his stay out in the middle, Chopra opined that the Indian captain still needs a big knock. He said:

“He did hit a couple of wonderful shots to begin, but the way he got dismissed, eventually, you’ll say a glass is half full or half empty. You want to actually believe that it’s half full and you’re getting there. But let’s be fair, it’s between half full or half empty. It’s not full yet because the 50 hasn’t come. The 100 hasn’t come.”

Suryakumar had a forgettable 2025 in T20Is. In 19 innings last year, the right-handed batter scored 218 runs at an average of 13.62 and a strike rate of 123.16, with a best of 47*.