India’s T20I team has several talented opening batters, including Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.However, frequent changes in the playing XI have raised concerns about the team management’s approach, with former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believing that the uncertainty has affected the confidence of both Samson and Sooryavanshi.Samson struggled in his first three matches against Ireland and England, scoring 5, 0 and 1.Sooryavanshi then made his T20I debut and scored 14, 13 and 15 in his first three games. Samson returned for the fifth T20I against England, scoring 27, but was rested for the Zimbabwe tour. Sooryavanshi took his opportunities on that tour, scoring 50, 20 and 81.
Srikkanth questions team management
Srikkanth believes the team management should give young players more chances instead of constantly changing the opening combination. He suggested resting Abhishek Sharma and allowing Samson and Sooryavanshi to open together.“They have not only spoiled his (Sanju Samson’s) confidence, India have totally spoiled Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s confidence. He could have been given three matches against a team like the West Indies. Now that they’ve seen Abhishek for so long, he can be rested, and Sooryavanshi and Samson can open in the next match,” Srikkanth said in a YouTube video.He also questioned Samson’s consistency. Although the wicketkeeper-batter played three important innings during India’s 2026 T20 World Cup triumph, including the final, his performances have since become less reliable.“Samson has always been up and down. His consistency has always been questionable. He’ll suddenly do wonders like the World Cup and then suddenly fail a lot. Someone like Abhishek Sharma never has such extremes. Now, again, Samson will score in the next match,” Srikkanth said.
West Indies level series after Hope’s century
Meanwhile, India suffered a 24-run defeat against West Indies in the fourth T20I in Hyderabad, leaving the five-match series tied at 2-2. West Indies posted 247/3, powered by Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 off 50 balls and Sherfane Rutherford’s 49 not out.India started their 248-run chase strongly, with Samson smashing 56 off 20 balls. Abhishek added 29, while Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy put together 70 runs in 32 balls.However, Keemo Paul’s three wickets in the 19th over triggered a collapse, and India were bowled out for 223, falling short by 24 runs.