The India National Cricket Team is all set to make a bold move ahead of their Super 8 clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 against South Africa on Sunday (February 22) in Ahmedabad.
Sanju Samson likely to replace Tilak Varma for South Africa game
As reported by a Revsportz journalist, Rohit Sharma, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson is likely to get a chance in the playing XI, replacing Tilak Varma. India’s practice session at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad dropped this massive hint.
During the main practice at the center wicket, every Indian batter, including Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Akshar Patel, and Shivam Dubey, took part in full batting drills. The only exception was Tilak Varma, who was seen practicing at the back nets with off-spin bowling, away from the main wicket.
This was a clear hint that the Indian cricket team management is thinking of preferring Sanju Samson for the high-pressure Super 8 match against South Africa. Samson impressed in the nets, spending more than an hour batting against fast bowling with excellent confidence and body language.
Sanju Samson impresses in practice
The journalist shared that the Kerala star was seen carefully batting against spinners, as Hardik Pandya and Akshar Patel would handle the spin attacks later in the innings. He was also involved in lengthy discussion with the support staff, including batting coach Sitanshu Kotak.
In the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Tilak Varma has scored 106 runs in four group-stage matches, but his strike rate of 120.45 has raised some concerns, as it is much lower than his career T20 strike rate of 141.80. Since the tournament enters a crucial phase, India is expected to make some bold moves.
However, the final playing XI is expected to be confirmed after another practice session in Ahmedabad, but the signs point to Samson replacing Tilak Varma for the South Africa clash. Apart from this change, either Akshar Patel or Washington Sundar will make the cut to the side in the Super 8.
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Kuldeep Yadav set to return for South Africa Super 8 clash
Meanwhile, the wrist-spin could be the key weapon for India in Ahmedabad. Washington Sundar was tight in the group stage, but the Ahmedabad pitch is perfect for wrist-spinners who can make the ball bounce and turn sharply, paving the way for Kuldeep Yadav’s return.
Kuldeep will bring his experience and wicket-taking ability back into the mix. Alongside him, Varun Chakravarthy, India’s leading wicket-taker so far in the tournament with 9 wickets from four group matches, is ready to make life difficult for South Africa’s middle order.
The Proteas batters, like Aiden Markram and David Miller, have a history of struggling against quality wrist-spin in the past. So, Kuldeep and Varun could play a huge role in controlling the runs and breaking partnerships early on a fast-scoring ground like Ahmedabad.
However, neither Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir nor captain Suryakumar Yadav slipped any hint about the playing XI for the crucial Super 8 match against the Proteas side on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
