New Delhi: The Indian team management is considering a batting shuffle ahead of the next T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, February 26.
One of Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma or Rinku Singh is likely to be dropped from India’s playing XI for the next Super 8 match. The trio have been failed to make an impact so far in this tournament.
South Africa defeated India by 76 runs in their first Super 8 match in Ahmedabad. With this defeat, India’s semifinal chances also took a big hit. Opening batter Abhishek has scored just 15 runs in four innings, including a stretch of three consecutive ducks.
Tilak, the designated No. 3 batter, has scored just 107 runs at a strike rate of 118.88. Meanwhile, Rinku has amassed just 24 runs while batting in the lower order. With Sanju Samson in the squad, the Men in Blue may look to shuffle the batting order. Samson is likely to replace either Abhishek, Tilak or Rinku in the playing XI.
‘If the head coach and team management feel we need to do something different, we will do things differently’
India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, hinted at a possible shuffle in the playing XI, saying that if the head coach and team management feel they need to do something different, they will.
“Definitely, the thought comes: if we have to change, what do we change and how do we change?. Now we have reached a point where we need to think whether to do something different or stick with the same combination,” India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Sunday.
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also hinted that the team might switch tactics and bring a right-hand batter into the top order.
“Do you stick with the guys who have performed really well over the last 18 months and maybe are just a few runs short now? Or do we twist and bring in Sanju, who’s also a fantastic player and tactically helps with having a right-hander at the top of the order?” Ten Doeschate said.
Doeschate further said that he’s sure that Samson’s inclusion will be a big talking point in the next few days, ahead of the crucial two matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies.
India’s remaining Super 8 schedule
February 26: India vs Zimbabwe in Chennai
March 1: India vs West Indies in Kolkata