IND vs SA: Is Sanju Samson Benched? The Heartbreaking Selection Twist Ahead of World Cup Opener

As India prepares to kick off its T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, speculation is rife about the fate of Sanju Samson in the playing XI — especially for the crucial opener against South Africa.

While Samson was included in India’s 15-man World Cup squad after a strong showing as an opener late last year and the exclusion of Shubman Gill from the squad, his spot in the final XI has become far from guaranteed.

Earlier in the lead-up to the tournament, Samson regained prominence by opening with Abhishek Sharma, a role that saw him amassing significant T20I runs and even earning three centuries in 2024-25.

Yet inconsistent form in recent series — notably low scores in India’s T20I series against New Zealand — has plunged his selection prospects into doubt.

The immediate pressure on Samson’s place comes not only from his own struggles but from the red-hot form of Ishan Kishan, who has seized opportunities with aggressive batting and has been practiced in both opening and wicket-keeping roles.

In fact, team management has experimented with Kishan taking the gloves during warm-ups — a clear signal that his versatility and recent performance are being weighed seriously ahead of India’s first World Cup match.

Social media and fan forums reflect this tension vividly, with many supporters feeling for Samson if he is omitted or demoted, while others argue that momentum and current form should dictate selections.

Despite the uncertainty, official statements from team management have maintained confidence in Samson’s abilities, noting that one or two poor outings shouldn’t erase his proven talent — although they have stopped short of guaranteeing a starting berth.

Ultimately, whether Samson is benched or starts against South Africa may hinge on the final team balance India opts for on match day — a decision that could break hearts or vindicate critics, depending on how the opener performs in the world’s biggest T20 tournament.