Former India player turned commentator Aakash Chopra has said that the final T20I against New Zealand is Sanju Samson’s last chance to cement a place in India’s first-choice playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026 as well. He added that Samson is short of runs and rhythm, with Ishan Kishan being at his absolute best.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “Thiruvanthapuram, last match, and the last chance for home boy Sanju Samson. The pressure will be on Sanju Samson because, firstly, he is not scoring runs, secondly, his batting approach is not giving that much confidence, and thirdly, Ishan Kishan has set the stage on fire. Even if he plays and does very well, scores a lot of runs, you will have to think twice whether to make Ishan Kishan sit out. There could be only one reason for that, in case you don’t want the top three as left-handers, and there is nothing else that’s stopping Ishan Kishan at this point in time.”
However, Aakash Chopra also stated that Ishan Kishan will likely return to Team India’s playing XI for the final T20I against England as well.
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“A very important thing was that Ishan Kishan was injured, but he was running properly into the middle. We saw him batting as well at the start. So whatever niggle might have been there, it was very minor. It was more like being cautious. So I am not worried about it. I feel Ishan Kishan will be available and will play this game,” he said.
“Axar Patel will become fit because he seemed to me almost close to full fitness in the last match as well. He was wearing gloves. So if he is seen playing, Ishan Kishan and Axar Patel will come, and then one call will have to be taken. Will Harshit Rana be made to sit out because I feel he won’t be able to play in the World Cup?” Chopra shared.
“Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah will be the two fast bowlers, a spinner in the form of Varun Chakaravarthy, it will be your No. 9 till here, and you have Axar Patel at No. 8. So do you want to play the team that’s going to play the World Cup? You have only started saying World Cup lens. I request you with folded hands to play Varun Chakaravarthy because you have made him sit out for two matches. That’s not fair at all,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
