IND vs ENG, 4th T20I: 3 Reasons Why Sanju Samson Should Return; Who Will Make Way - Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ishan Kishan or Tilak Varma?

BY: Mary Rose Baba

Publish: Thu, 9 Jul 2026 (14:42 IST) Updated: Thu, 9 Jul 2026 (14:43 IST)

India will face England in the fourth T20I of the five-match series at Bristol on Thursday, with their backs against the wall after trailing 0-2. The match is a must-win encounter for India, as another defeat would hand England an unassailable lead and secure them a historic series victory.

To keep the series alive, captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir may need to make some key changes to the playing XI. One of the biggest questions is whether Sanju Samson could return to the team and, if selected, who would make way for him.

Here are three reasons why Samson could be a valuable addition to India's playing XI.

Reason 1: India Need a Better Left-Right Batting Combination

India's current T20I lineup has a heavy presence of left-handed batters. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi are left-handers, while Ishan Kishan also bats left-handed at No. 3.

The middle order includes other left-handed options like Axar Patel, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube, leaving captain Shreyas Iyer as the only prominent right-handed batter.

In the previous match, India even promoted Harshit Rana ahead of Dube to maintain a right-left combination. Having a mix of left and right-handed batters makes it harder for bowlers to settle into a rhythm and plan against the batting lineup.

Reason 2: Samson Has Proven He Can Handle Pressure Situations

Samson has shown the ability to perform under pressure, both at the international level and in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Although he struggled for form during the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, he stepped up when India needed him the most. His crucial performances in high-pressure matches, including the knockout stages, highlighted his temperament and ability to deliver on big occasions.

With India currently fighting to stay alive in the series, a batter with Samson's experience and composure could prove valuable.

Reason 3: Samson Has Experience Playing Pace and Bounce

Samson's ability to handle fast bowling and extra bounce is another reason why he could be considered for a comeback. During India's tour of South Africa, he scored two impressive centuries, showing his capability against quality pace attacks.

Who Could Make Way for Samson?

If Samson returns, the biggest question is who will be left out. Vaibhav Suryavanshi has played only two matches since making his debut, and dropping him immediately may not be ideal.

Ishan Kishan is currently No. 1 T20I batsman and is unlikely to be removed from the lineup. This leaves vice-captain Tilak Varma as the most likely candidate.

Varma has not been at his best during the UK tour. While he has scored runs, his strike rate has been a concern, and he has struggled against spin bowling.

Considering India's need for a more aggressive and balanced batting approach, the team management could consider bringing Samson back in place of Varma for the crucial fourth T20I.