India have gone back to their trusted opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson for the important matches in the T20 World Cup 2026.
The T20 World
Cup 2026 is being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, started the Super 8 stage with a big loss to South Africa.
Abhishek Sharma, who was in great form before the tournament and ranked No.1 in T20Is, had three ducks in a row at the start. When he opened with Ishan Kishan (both left-handers), the pair did not work well against different bowling attacks.
Abhishek, Sanju Samson 2024 Merry Way
In the latter half of 2024, India witnessed Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma piling up runs. In the Bangladesh and South Africa series, the duo hammered away bowlers for fun and showcased their might. Sanju scored three centuries while Abhishek also racked up his numbers with a ton. But the scenario changed after the England series earlier in 2025, where Shubman Gill was introduced.
Over the last 18-24 months, India experimented a lot with openers. After the 2024 World Cup win (where Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli opened), Abhishek Sharma became the main aggressive left-hander. The team tried Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and most recently Ishan Kishan - but the Abhishek-Sharma and Sanju Samson pair has finally been reinstated. They won most matches when together, with good powerplay scores and big partnerships. Sanju Samson scored quick runs and even some big innings at the top.
Before the Zimbabwe match on February 26 in Chennai, the team decided to bring back this old, successful pair. Sanju Samson replaced Rinku Singh in the XI and opened with Abhishek. This was also to avoid too many left-hand batters at the top, especially since Zimbabwe used off-spinners early.
Abhishek, Sanju give India perfect Start
The move worked perfectly. Abhishek and Sanju added 48 runs in just 3.4 overs - India's best opening stand of the tournament so far. Sanju scored 24 off 15 balls with quick sixes. Abhishek then made 55 off 30 balls, his first fifty in the World Cup. Later, Ishan Kishan (38), Hardik Pandya (50 not out), and Tilak Varma (44 not out) helped India post 256/4 - the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history. India won by 72 runs, keeping their semi-final hopes alive.
Experts like Dinesh Karthik praised the left-right balance, saying it puts pressure on bowlers and helps in the powerplay. Now, India have one more Super 8 match left - against West Indies in Kolkata on March 1, which will be a virtual quarterfinal.
It is like a quarter-final for the second semi-final spot in their group. South Africa have already qualified. After trying new ideas and facing problems, India returned to what worked best. The Abhishek-Sharma and Sanju Samson opening pair has brought back confidence and strong starts when it matters most.
