Guwahati, Jan 25: Ishan Kishan’s sensational comeback in the second T20 against New Zealand has reignited the debate over India’s preferred opening combination, putting Sanju Samson under mounting pressure ahead of the third and potentially series-deciding match here on Sunday.
With just three games left in the five match series before India begin their T20 World Cup title defense, the squad is largely settled, but Samson’s spot remains under scrutiny. Kishan’s 76 off 32 balls, coming in as an opener alongside Abhishek Sharma, has cast a shadow over Samson’s inconsistent form.
Reinstated as an opener at the expense of Shubman Gill, Samson has struggled to convert starts into impactful innings. Earlier in the series, he managed only 10 and 6 against New Zealand’s pace attack, showing vulnerability against express deliveries—a weakness highlighted during England’s tour when he fell five times to fast bowlers.
Former India opener WV Raman noted on social media that Samson “will be inconsistent as long as he doesn’t adjust the bat speed to the pace of the ball,” underscoring the technical adjustments he needs. Behind the stumps, Samson also appeared untidy, failing to stop a wide yorker from Arshdeep Singh that leaked four byes.
While Samson faltered, Suryakumar Yadav ended a 23-innings T20I fifty drought with a blazing 82 off 37 balls, rescuing India in the chase after Abhishek Sharma fell for a golden duck. However, the platform for India’s 209-run chase was set by Kishan, who counter-attacked after India slipped to 6/2 in 1.1 overs, hitting a 21-ball fifty and helping India reach the target in just 15.2 overs.
Kishan’s return to form comes after he earned a recall following his domestic grind and leadership in Jharkhand’s T20 title victory. Alongside Suryakumar, the duo propelled India to score at 14.50 runs per over, losing just one wicket in the crucial middle overs. Kuldeep Yadav and Harshit Rana controlled the middle overs with disciplined bowling, while Jasprit Bumrah is expected back for the final match following his rotation.
For New Zealand, fielding lapses and tactical rigidity cost them dearly. Mitchell Santner’s side will need to rethink their approach, potentially promoting in-form batter Daryl Mitchell, who impressed in the preceding ODI series.
India Playing XI: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana
New Zealand Playing XI: Mitchell Santner (c), Devon Conway, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Jimmy Neesham, Ish Sodhi, Zak Foulkes, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy
Match Start: 7 pm IST