‘Left’ Could Turn ‘Right’: Sanju Samson May Replace Abhishek Sharma Against South Africa

Ahmedabad: As India prepare for their crucial Super-8 clash against South Africa in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, the biggest concern for the team management appears to be the alarming dip in form of young opener Abhishek Sharma.

Once hailed as India’s “destructive missile” at the top of the order, Abhishek has endured a nightmare start to his World Cup campaign. The left-handed batter has been dismissed for three consecutive ducks in his debut T20 World Cup appearances. Despite retaining the No.1 spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings, his current form has sparked serious deliberations within the Indian camp.

Strategic Shift in the Making?

During Friday’s practice session at the Narendra Modi Stadium, subtle but significant hints suggested that the Indian think tank could be contemplating a tactical shift — turning “left” into “right.”

In simple terms, this could mean benching left-hander Abhishek and bringing in right-handed batter Sanju Samson at the top of the order.

While Samson himself hasn’t set the stage on fire in recent outings, his experience and composure could prove valuable in a high-pressure encounter. When a young player’s confidence appears shaken, team management often leans on seasoned campaigners to stabilize the lineup.

Practice Session Raises Eyebrows

The evening session under lights offered interesting clues. Before batting drills began, head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen in an extended one-on-one conversation with Abhishek Sharma. Though the youngster looked energetic during warm-ups, he listened intently to Gambhir’s instructions.

Surprisingly, Abhishek did not take first strike in the nets.

Instead, Ishan Kishan opened the session, facing deliveries from Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Shivam Dube. Kishan appeared in sublime touch, dispatching several deliveries into the stands with authority.

Moments later, Sanju Samson joined him in the same net. The duo batted in tandem, simulating an opening partnership — rotating strike and mirroring match-like scenarios. This rehearsal of a potential Ishan-Sanju combination did not go unnoticed.

Meanwhile, captain Suryakumar Yadav trained in an adjacent net against spinners and looked in dominant form. In an interesting development, Abhishek was later seen bowling left-arm spin during the session before eventually padding up for a late batting stint. Prior to entering the nets, he was spotted taking inputs from Washington Sundar.

Selection Call Looms Large

It is not uncommon for batters to skip extended net sessions occasionally. However, a player who has registered three consecutive ducks in a World Cup is generally expected to spend additional time refining his approach.

With South Africa posing a formidable challenge in the Super-8 opener, India may prioritize stability over flair. If the management opts for experience and right-left balance against specific bowling matchups, Sanju Samson could find himself walking out to open alongside Ishan Kishan.

The final decision will reflect whether India chooses to persist with youthful aggression or lean on seasoned assurance in one of the tournament’s most critical fixtures.