Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has picked India’s playing XI for the first T20I against England. Surprisingly, there was no place for Sanju Samson in Chopra’s team. Samson recently returned with scores of 5 and 0 in the two T20Is against Ireland.
Chopra reckons Sanju Samson would have to make way for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Sooryavanshi was added to India’s T20I squad for the UK tour after he accumulated 776 runs in 16 IPL 2026 matches at a blistering strike rate of 237.30 for the Rajasthan Royals.
“I think we have come to a stage where you will have to give Vaibhav a chance because you are coming after losing to Ireland. You could now decide that in the next five games, you would give one of Abhishek and Sanju three games, and the other guy two, and that we want to play Vaibhav Suryavanshi five games and see what he does,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“If we had come after winning or drawing the series, I would have still said to hold Vaibhav back. Although a small part of my brain is saying that Sanju should be given one or two more games, and if he doesn’t do anything in those as well, go to Vaibhav for the last three games, but I feel that much patience might not be there because the loss to Ireland will not be digestible,” he added.
Chopra picked Abhishek ahead of Samson and reckons the newly appointed skipper Shreyas Iyer needs to be among the runs after he managed only 13 runs in two T20Is against Ireland.
“Therefore, I feel Vaibhav Suryavanshi to play along with Abhishek Sharma as the two openers. Ishan Kishan at No. 3, the captain at No. 4, and he will have to score runs because you won’t be able to establish authority if you don’t score runs. Then Tilak Varma at No. 5 and Shivam Dube at No. 6,” he observed.
The renowned commentator said he is fine with Axar Patel batting at number seven.
“At No. 7, either you should give more chances to Suryansh Shedge, or else keep Axar Patel at No. 7, Harshit Rana at No. 8, and then play with proper bowlers from No. 9 to No. 11. Play Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, and the last spot should go to Ravi Bishnoi. I am absolutely fine with Axar Patel batting at No. 7,” he said.
Chopra said he wants to give all five games to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with either Abhishek Sharma or Ishan Kishan making way for Sanju Samson for the final few games.
“I want to play Harshit Rana at No. 8, and Nos. 9 to 11 could be my proper bowlers, and don’t compromise on a spinner in that. This will be my XI, in which I am making Vaibhav open along with Abhishek Sharma. I will play Abhishek the first two matches for sure. Then I will tell either Abhishek or Ishan that they won’t play the next three games, and I am getting Sanju Samson in. Play Vaibhav all five games,” Chopra observed.
Aakash Chopra’s playing XI for 1st T20I against England: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kisha, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.
