Image: BCCI

India’s selection dilemma heading into the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 is layered and complex, and it revolves around Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson.

Abhishek Sharma, despite being the No.1 ranked T20I batter, has endured a dramatic slump in form. His recent run of scores is alarming: five ducks in his last seven innings, with only one standout knock of 68* off 20 balls and a 30 off 16. This inconsistency has created a crisis of confidence. For a player who built his reputation on explosive starts and match-winning innings, such a sequence raises questions about whether he can withstand the pressure of the Super 8 stage. Dropping him, however, would be a massive call, given his stature and the faith the management has shown in him.

The alternative, Sanju Samson, does not present a straightforward solution either. His numbers in the powerplay since 2025 are troubling: 14 innings, 10 dismissals, average of just 14.2. As an opener, he has struggled badly—against England, he managed only 51 runs in five games, and against New Zealand, just 44 runs in five matches. His vulnerability against pace is even more concerning. Since 2025, Samson has faced 131 balls of pace in T20Is, scoring 166 runs but being dismissed 13 times. That translates to an average of 12.76 and a strike rate of 126.71, with ten of those dismissals coming inside the powerplay. These figures suggest that bringing him in at this stage could expose India to further instability at the top.

Amidst this uncertainty, Ishan Kishan has emerged as India’s most consistent batter in the tournament. Ironically, he wasn’t central to the original World Cup plans, but circumstances have thrust him into a leading role. His fearless approach and ability to adapt have ensured India’s progression, making him the one dependable figure in an otherwise shaky batting lineup.

The management is caught in a “rock and a hard place” situation. Retaining Abhishek Sharma means backing pedigree over form, hoping he produces a defining innings under pressure. Opting for Sanju Samson means gambling on a player whose record against pace and in powerplays has been poor, especially in big matches. The risk-reward balance tilts slightly in Sharma’s favor, given his proven ability to deliver explosive knocks, but the pressure on him is immense.

Ultimately, the decision reflects a broader truth about tournament cricket: form and confidence can shift quickly, and one innings can change the narrative. The Super 8 stage will reveal whether Abhishek Sharma justifies the management’s faith—or whether India’s batting order faces even greater scrutiny.


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