The Indian T20 World Cup selection saga has taken a dramatic turn. Just a few weeks ago, Ishan Kishan was viewed merely as a last-minute backup for Sanju Samson. Fast forward to today, and the script has flipped entirely. As India heads into the 4th T20I against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam, the spotlight isn’t just on the series scoreline, but on a selection headache that could define India’s top order for the upcoming World Cup.
The Battle of the Keepers: Kishan’s Fireworks vs. Samson’s Lifeline
The door for Ishan Kishan didn’t just creak open; it was blown off its hinges by a freak injury to Tilak Varma. Batting at No. 3, Kishan has been a revelation, dismantling the Kiwi attack with a blistering 76 off 32 balls in Raipur, followed by a quick-fire 28 in the third game. His ability to maintain momentum in the powerplay has put immense pressure on Sanju Samson.
Samson, meanwhile, is facing a familiar struggle with consistency. With scores of 10, 6, and 0 in the first three matches, the “Samson vs. Kishan” debate is reaching a fever pitch. However, Tilak Varma’s delayed recovery has handed Samson a golden opportunity. Having moved back to the opening slot, he likely has two more matches to prove he belongs in the starting XI before Tilak returns and the competition for spots becomes even more cut-throat.
Abhishek Sharma: The New Gold Standard of T20 Power-Hitting
While the wicketkeeper-batsman debate rages on, Abhishek Sharma is quietly (or rather, loudly) redefining what modern T20 batting looks like. Since the start of 2025, Sharma has been in a league of his own. He has amassed 1,011 runs at a staggering average of 45.95, but it’s his strike rate of 202.20 that is truly terrifying for opposition captains.
With eight half-centuries in 24 innings—the slowest of which came off just 25 balls—he has become the ultimate “intent” player India has long craved. Even when he fails, as he did with a first-ball duck in the second T20I, India’s depth shines through. The likes of Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav proved they can pick up the slack, chasing down 209 in just over 15 overs.
New Zealand’s Reinforcements and the Vizag Track
New Zealand isn’t going down without a fight. The return of Lockie Ferguson and James Neesham adds much-needed experience and firepower to a side that has looked a step behind. Ferguson’s comeback is particularly vital; the speedster is returning from a calf injury and will be eager to test his rhythm ahead of the World Cup.
The Visakhapatnam pitch is expected to be a batter’s paradise. History favors the chasing side here, reminiscent of India’s successful chase of 209 against Australia in 2023. With heavy hitters on both sides and milestones within reach—Suryakumar Yadav is just 41 runs away from joining the 3,000-run club—fans should buckle up for another high-scoring thriller.
Probable XI:
- India: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy.
- New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (capt), Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi.
