Gautam Gambhir and Sanju Samson during a practice session ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Zimbabwe. (PTI )
Is Sanju Samson going to play against Zimbabwe? Sitanshu Kotak suggests In their crucial match, will India alter their batting lineup? following India’s crushing defeat over South Africa. Sitanshu Kotak, the batting coach for India, made a suggestion that the batting order might change.
Ask some repoter that Is Sanju Samson going to play, Sitanshu Kotak, the batting coach for India, has hinted that the hosts may alter the batting order in their crucial match against Zimbabwe. On Thursday, February 26, India will take on Sikandar Raza’s team. Following their crushing defeat at the hands of South Africa earlier in the Super 8 round, the co-hosts are facing the wall.
Speaking in Chennai the day before the game, Ask some repoter that Is Sanju Samson going to play, Kotak disclosed that discussions are on to freshen up the batting lineup and give Sanju Samson a tryout. Throughout the tournament, the Indian team’s batting lineup, which is dominated by lefties, has struggled. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, with the exception of Ishan Kishan, have both underperformed, leaving India struggling against spin in the game’s middle overs.
India’s problems in the top order have been revealed by off-spin bowling, which has made the tall batting lineup falter for most of the innings. Ask some repoter that Is Sanju Samson going to play, According to Kotak, the team management has acknowledged the problem and is talking about possible solutions.
“Changes are possible, yes. Needless to say, we do talk about these topics. The other sides are using off-spinners, and we have two left-handed openers and a left-hander at number three. In my opinion, there isn’t a problem there. But at the pre-match news conference on Wednesday, February 25, Ask some repoter that Is Sanju Samson going to play, Sitanshu Kotak stated, “Any team would think that we lost wickets in the first over in three games.”
“We are definitely considering that. Let’s see how it turns out. We never choose the team in advance. It goes without saying that revealing your plan ahead of time is unfair. However, there will undoubtedly be opinions,” he continued.
ICC T20I rankings: Abhishek Sharma retains top rank despite poor form (PTI Photo)
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“DON’T WANT TO PRESS ABHISHEK”
After losing by 76 runs to South Africa, the Indian team is at their lowest point. India would need to pray for favorable outcomes from South Africa and the West Indies in addition to winning two of their own games in order to get to the tournament’s semifinals.
Regarding the opening, Kotak stated that he dislikes concentrating on a single player in the lineup. Although Abhishek hasn’t had much of a bounce after recovering from his sickness, the batting coach stated that he doesn’t want to put the batter under any more strain than he already is.
“It is our responsibility to maintain his positive attitude. You will see the same Abhishek if he begins to hit the ball. “I believe it’s not far,” he said.
At Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, India takes on Zimbabwe. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. IST. India’s lineup is probably going to change in at least one way. Rinku Singh will probably be replaced by Axar Patel, but Samson may also be considered.
Will Rinku return to play in the T20 World Cup?
Nagpur: Indias Rinku Singh during a practice session on the eve of the first T20I cricket match between India and New Zealand, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)(PTI01_20_2026_000390A)
On Thursday, India will play Zimbabwe in the World Cup Super Eights. Prior to it, Rinku Singh left the team for family reasons and went back home.
Will Rinku Singh participate in the current World Cup once more? During this trying time for her family, can Rinku be able to leave everyone behind and go back to the field? On Thursday, India will play Zimbabwe in the World Cup Super Eights. She left the squad and returned home for family matters prior to that. Before the match against Zimbabwe, the Indian cricket player is reportedly returning to the team.
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was questioned about Rinku’s expected return time during a press conference on Wednesday. “Rinku is coming back this evening,” Kotak said. Her dad is ill. She went for that reason. However, she will be joining the squad today, as far as I am aware. Kotak’s remarks make it very evident that Rinku would play in the World Cup once she sees her father.
In order to play in Zimbabwe, Rinku had traveled to Chennai with the team. However, she abruptly left the team and went home on Tuesday morning. Khanchand Singh, Rinku’s father, is gravely ill, according to Indian team sources. He has cancer. A Greater Noida private hospital has admitted him. A ventilator is being used to treat him. With coach Gautam Gambhir’s approval, Rinku visited his father after learning the news.
On Tuesday night, Rinku skipped practice because he was heading home. Against Zimbabwe, it was believed he might not be able to play. However, Kotak has now stated that he will be back on Wednesday. He can practice in the evenings as well.
In the current World Cup, Rinku is completely out of form. He has participated in all five games. Only 24 runs have been scored by him. In the fielding, though, Rinku has drawn attention. He’s made a number of difficult catches. Four have been saved by him. At this point in the campaign, it’s also unclear how much Gambhir wants to adjust the team. Rinku might thus be considered as a finisher once more. In addition, Gambhir trusts him as a cricketer.