As the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 enters its high-stakes Super 8 phase, India faces a crucial encounter against South Africa on February 22 at the Narendra
Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The defending champions, led by Suryakumar Yadav, have qualified comfortably from Group A with convincing wins over the USA, Pakistan, Namibia, and the Netherlands. However, concerns linger over the top order's consistency, particularly with opener Abhishek Sharma's dismal run of form.
Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson - Who should play in Super Eights for India?
Abhishek Sharma, the 25-year-old left-hander, entered the tournament with high expectations after his role in India's Asia Cup 2025 triumph. Yet, his World Cup campaign has been nothing short of a nightmare. In three innings, Abhishek has registered consecutive ducks: a golden duck against the USA on February 7, another against Pakistan on February 15, and a third against the Netherlands on February 18, bowled in the first over. He remains scoreless in the tournament, joining an unwanted list of openers with three or more ducks in a single T20 World Cup edition.
This poor streak extends beyond the event; in 2026, Abhishek has scored just 182 runs in eight T20I innings, with five ducks haunting his record. His aggressive approach, while promising, has faltered under pressure, leading to early dismissals that have exposed the middle order prematurely.
India's batting coach has defended him, emphasizing trust in his game plan, but with the Super 8s marking the business end, persistence could prove costly.
In contrast, Sanju Samson offers a compelling alternative. The Kerala batsman, known for his clean hitting and composure, made a brief but impactful appearance in the Namibia game on February 13, replacing an ill Abhishek. Samson smashed 22 runs off just eight balls, including three sixes and a boundary, providing a blistering start before a rash shot ended his innings. Dropped when Abhishek recovered for the Pakistan clash, Samson has been in sublime touch during nets, signalling readiness for a recall.
Bringing Samson back isn't just about addressing Abhishek's slump; it's a strategic move for the Super 8s. India shares Group 1 with Zimbabwe, West Indies, and South Africa, where every match counts toward semifinal qualification.
A solid opening partnership with Ishan Kishan could set the tone, especially on Ahmedabad's batting-friendly pitch. The deicision lies in the Indian team as the management would have to take a call. Even if Abhishek survives for the first match, any further slump may mean curtains for him.
