Former Indian wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta has shed light on Team India’s potential opening combination for the T20 World Cup 2026. The former Bengal cricketer said India could open the innings with in-form Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma.
Both left-handers are in form, but their opening partnership will take away the left and right-hand batting combination. Sanju Samson could only manage 46 runs in five T20Is against New Zealand and thus his place in the playing XI is in jeopardy.
While Kishan scored 215 runs in four games against the Kiwis, Sharma smashed 182 runs in five matches.
Deep Dasgupta said on PTI, “It is sad that Sanju is not in form. And it also kind of makes things a little tricky for the Indian side. But it was good to see Tilak playing that side game yesterday. But the next challenge is how serious are you looking at a left-right combination? Yeah. And if Surya bats at four, then you’re looking at top three left-handers (Abhishek, Kishan, Tilak), which I personally think it’s fine.”
“There are a few changes (to the side) but this team has gone to the next level since Rohit inspired his team to that trophy couple of years ago. The way they played against New Zealand recently was something special. Unless they have one bad day, which can happen in this format, India should be able to win the trophy again.”
Deep recalled that Virat Kohli played a crucial role in the previous World Cup. Kohli scored a match-winning knock of 76 runs in the final clash against South Africa after having a mundane tournament.
“Virat played a very, very important role in the last World Cup because of pitches that he played on. So if the pitch is doing something and you have the power-hitters like you do, it is very, very difficult for them to adapt. Because that is the only way they play,” said Dasgupta (via the aforementioned source).
The former gloveman said India would still need someone to play the anchor role in the T20I showpiece.
“But I still think you need somebody who can play that holding role. Not necessarily that you have to play that role in every game. When I look at Tilak and Surya, India have got in this side these two guys who can change their game based on conditions.”
India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7.
