Indian top-order batters have been struggling since the 2026 T20 World Cup Triumph. After a humiliating loss and poor performance in Ireland, Indian openers had nothing new in the 2nd T20I against England.
Sanju Samson again failed to score runs. He has three single digit score on last three T20I matches. However, some fans eagerly want Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to take his place. Even former India player and coach Ravi Shastri thinks his debut should have been done in Ireland. However, the reason behind not selecting him in the starting eleven is not his batting but a selection dilemma the coach and captain are going through now.
Sanju Samson has struggled with the bat in the first three matches, and many fans want 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to make his international debut. However, despite Samson's poor form, Team India may continue to back him in the second T20I against England on July 4 in Manchester. The reason is not just his batting, but the balance of the batting line-up.
Why is Team India still backing Sanju Samson?
Even though Sanju Samson has not scored runs in the last three matches, the team management may still keep him in the playing XI. The main reason is to maintain the right balance between right-handed and left-handed batters.
India faced the same problem during the 2026 T20 World Cup. At that time, Samson returned to the playing XI because the team needed a right-handed batter at the top of the order.
What problem will India face if Vaibhav Sooryavanshi plays?
If Vaibhav replaces Samson, India could end up with six left-handed batters in the top seven. That could make it easier for England to plan their bowling.
A possible batting order would have Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opening the innings, followed by Ishan Kishan at No. 3. Shreyas Iyer would be the only right-handed batter in the top five, while Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel are all left-handers.
This lack of variety is something the team management wants to avoid.
Why is the right-left combination so important?
A mix of right-handed and left-handed batters makes it difficult for bowlers to settle into a rhythm. The field also has to be changed more often, which can create scoring opportunities.
If most batters are left-handed, the opposition can use the same bowling plans and field settings for longer periods, making batting more difficult.
What happened during the T20 World Cup 2026?
India faced a similar situation during the 2026 T20 World Cup. At that time, the team had too many left-handed batters in the middle order.
To solve the problem, Sanju Samson was brought back into the playing XI as a right-handed opener. Tilak Varma was moved down the batting order, while Ishan Kishan batted at No. 3. The change helped India maintain a better right-left combination.
Will Vaibhav Suryavanshi get his chance soon?
Vaibhav Suryavanshi remains one of India's brightest young talents, and his international debut is expected to happen soon. However, team balance is just as important as individual form.
Unless the team management finds another way to maintain the right-handed and left-handed batting combination, Vaibhav may have to wait a little longer before receiving his first India cap.