The cricketing world has been buzzing with a familiar narrative: Sanju Samson’s T20 World Cup spot is on the line. His recent struggles at the top of the order have fueled intense debate, especially with the explosive return of Ishan Kishan. But here’s the twist you might have missed—Samson is already in the squad. So, what’s the real story behind the headlines?
Table of Contents
- The Official Word: Sanju Is In
- Why the Doubt Persists: Ishan’s Form and the Opener Debate
- Samson’s Value Beyond the Scorecard
- The Final Verdict: Is His Spot Really in Danger?
- Sources
The Official Word: Sanju Is In
Let’s cut through the noise first. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already announced its 15-member squad for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, and Sanju Samson’s name is firmly on that list [[6]]. Multiple high-authority sources, including the BBC [[5]] and Olympics.com [[9]], have confirmed his inclusion alongside captain Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and, yes, Ishan Kishan.
This means the central premise of his spot “hanging by a thread” is, for now, a moot point regarding his presence in the tournament. However, the real battle isn’t for a seat on the plane to the USA and West Indies; it’s for a starting berth in the playing XI. That’s where the intrigue lies.
Sanju Samson T20 World Cup Concerns: Ishan’s Form and the Opener Debate
The anxiety around Samson stems from his inconsistent performances in the lead-up series against New Zealand. Tasked with opening the innings, he failed to deliver the quick starts India needed. This vacuum was filled spectacularly by Ishan Kishan.
In the 2nd T20I against New Zealand, Kishan blazed an unbeaten 76 off just 32 balls, a knock studded with 11 fours and 4 sixes, at a staggering strike rate of 237.5 [[15]]. This wasn’t a one-off; his domestic form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was equally destructive, amassing 517 runs at a strike rate of nearly 200 [[11]].
This creates a fascinating selection puzzle for the team management:
- Abhishek Sharma is a lock at one opening spot after his own explosive performances [[21]].
- Ishan Kishan has proven he can dominate from ball one in the role.
- Sanju Samson, while a brilliant batsman, hasn’t consistently replicated that dominance as an opener recently.
The team has three elite options for two spots, a problem most teams would envy but one that forces tough calls [[24]].
Samson’s Value Beyond the Scorecard
Writing off Samson based on a few quiet games would be a mistake. His value to the Indian T20 setup extends beyond just his batting position.
- Wicketkeeping Depth: While KL Rahul is the primary keeper, having Samson—a world-class gloveman—in the squad provides crucial backup and allows the team to play an extra batter or bowler if needed.
- Middle-order Firepower: If not opening, Samson is arguably India’s best pure middle-order finisher. His ability to accelerate from the word go makes him a perfect No. 4 or 5, a role where his recent international numbers are far more impressive.
- Experience & Calm Demeanor: In a young squad, Samson’s experience and calmness under pressure are intangible assets that selectors highly value.
As former cricketer R. Ashwin noted, his inclusion in the squad was a source of delight, hinting at the respect he commands within the system [[6]].
The Final Verdict: Is His Spot Really in Danger?
So, is Sanju Samson’s Sanju Samson T20 World Cup journey in jeopardy? The answer is nuanced.
No, his place in the 15-man squad is secure. He’s on the team.
Yes, his place in the final playing XI is very much up for grabs. The competition with Ishan Kishan for the second opening slot (alongside Abhishek Sharma) is fierce and will likely be decided by their performances in the remaining warm-up games and the first few matches of the tournament itself.
The smart money is on the team management using their squad depth to their advantage. They might start with the in-form Kishan at the top, but keep Samson ready to unleash his power in the middle overs. Ultimately, having both these destructive talents in the same squad only strengthens India’s claim as one of the favourites for the T20 World Cup 2026 [[23]].
For more on India’s campaign, check out our preview of [INTERNAL_LINK:india-t20-world-cup-2026-preview]. You can also see the official ICC event page for the latest updates [EXTERNAL_LINK:https://www.icc-cricket.com/world-cup/mens-t20].
Sources
- [[5]] BBC Sport – 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup squads
- [[6]] India Today – Sanju Samson’s inclusion in T20 World Cup squad
- [[9]] Olympics.com – T20 World Cup 2026 squads
- [[11]] ESPNCricinfo – Ishan Kishan’s domestic form
- [[15]] Crex – Ishan Kishan’s performance vs NZ
- [[21]] ESPN – Tilak Varma to miss NZ T20Is
- [[23]] Instagram – India’s T20 squad depth
- [[24]] Threads – India’s top-order options