The battle for the opening slots in India’s T20 team has intensified following the emergence of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Although Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson played key roles in India’s victorious 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, Vaibhav’s outstanding performances have changed the selection dynamics. The young batter scored 151 runs in the recent three-match T20 series against Zimbabwe and was named Player of the Series, strengthening his claim for a regular opening spot.
Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma has come under pressure after failing to make an impact in his last five innings. Despite being ranked the world’s No. 1 T20 batter, his recent struggles have raised concerns about his form. As a result, calls are growing for wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson to be brought back into the Indian T20 playing XI.
Former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth has also weighed in on the debate. He said opposition teams have now figured out Abhishek Sharma’s batting approach, making it the right time for the selectors to take a bold decision. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth expressed confidence that Sanju Samson deserves another opportunity and urged the selection committee to make a fearless call.
