Former India captain and selector Kris Srikkanth has revealed his preferred playing XI for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, following the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand. The selection raised eyebrows, with Srikkanth leaving out Sanju Samson as well as star spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
India made a key change in the fifth T20I against New Zealand on Saturday, January 31. Ishan Kishan kept the wickets ahead of Samson, who had been India’s first-choice keeper throughout the series. The decision sparked debate, with many calling it a possible clue to India’s World Cup plans.
Kris Srikkanth picks his Indian playing XI for T20 World Cup 2026
India concluded the T20I series against New Zealand with a dominant 4-1 victory, cementing their status as serious contenders in the main tournament. After the series, Kris Srikkanth chose his favorite XI based on current form and balance.
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He backed Ishan Kishan ahead of Sanju Samson to open with Abhishek Sharma. The former selector picked Mumbai Indians batters Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya from No. 3 to No. 5. Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel completed the top eight.
Srikkanth picked Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah for the bowling unit. He left out Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar and Samson from the XI.
India will compete in Group A alongside Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands and the United States. Their opening match is scheduled against the United States in Mumbai on February 7.
Kris Srikkanth plays XI for T20 World Cup 2026:
Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy
They gave him a very long rope – Kris Srikkanth on Sanju Samson
Kris Srikkanth said that Sanju Samson should not be part of India’s playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026. He said that Samson had enough opportunities to return to form but failed to deliver on his promises. Srikkanth added that Ishan Kishan played winning shots.
“It started when Archer kept bouncing him last year. No one will get so many opportunities like this. They gave him a very long rope. Yes, they played with his position a bit during the Asia Cup,” Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“You haven’t scored at all and failed in 10 innings, opening the batting, and Ishan Kishan, on the other hand, is producing match-winning shots where he puts the team in a completely different zone. There is no comparison between the two at the moment.”
Ishan Kishan likely to seal opening slot ahead of Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson returned to open the batting after Shubman Gill was dismissed. He was sustained throughout the series but failed to make an impact. The Kerala batter has scored just 46 runs in five matches at an average of 9.20 and a strike rate of 135.29.
Ishan Kishan, on the other hand, took full advantage of his opportunity. He batted at No. 3 in the absence of Tilak Varma. The left-hander smashed 215 runs in four matches at an average of 53.75 and a strike rate of 231.18, including a fifty and a century.
Before the series, Kishan had not played a T20I for India since 2023. He earned his recall after impressive performances in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. With Tilak Varma likely to return, Kishan is expected to open the innings with Abhishek Sharma.
Also read: Shubman Gill breaks silence on Ishan Kishan who snatches his T20I place
