Abhishek Sharma to be replaced by Sanju Samson? Batting coach hints at a big shake-up in India's top order

India’s heavy defeat to South Africa in the Super Eight opener of the ICC T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad has pushed the team management towards a possible change in the batting order. Assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate said the idea of bringing in Sanju Samson as a right-handed option at the top is under discussion, even as Abhishek Sharma continues to struggle with form and fitness.

Early wickets expose India’s left-heavy top order

India’s chase of 188 never took off after early wickets of Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma left the team under pressure. The side could not recover despite a fight from Shivam Dube and was bowled out for 111.

Across matches, India’s left-heavy top order has repeatedly been targeted with off-spin and pace, leading to early wickets and putting pressure on the middle order.

Team management weighs Sanju Samson option

Sanju Samson offers a right-handed option who can balance the top order. He could be slotted at number three if Tilak Varma is dropped, while Ishan and Abhishek continue to open.

However, Samson’s own numbers have not been strong. Since the start of 2025, he has scored 290 runs in 17 innings at an average of 17.05 and a strike rate of 133.64 with one fifty.

Speaking after the match, Ryan Ten Doeschate said, "Yeah, of course, we have, and look at the five outings we have had now, four teams have opened with part-time off spin, and it is got a wicket every time, apart from the USA game where we lost Abhi without score in any case (to pacer Ali Khan)."

"So to start every inning zero for one, I think it has literally been zero or a couple of runs for one every time is obviously putting pressure on the link players. Tilak and SKY (Surya), their role is to link up with the guys at the back end, and it has notgone that way," he added.

Selection call before Zimbabwe and West Indies games

India now have a short window to decide whether to continue with the current players or bring in Samson for tactical balance.

Ryan said, "You stick with the guys who we feel have performed really well over the last 18 months and who are maybe shy of a few runs now? Or do we twist and bring Sanju, who is also a fantastic player and obviously helps tactically with having a right-hander at the top of the order, and I am sure that will be a talking point over the next few days, going into these two very important games (against Zimbabwe and West Indies in the remainder of the Super Eight stage)."

Abhishek Sharma’s fitness and form under pressure

Abhishek Sharma has scored just 15 runs in four innings in the tournament, with all runs coming in this match after three ducks earlier. His preparation was also affected by food poisoning, which led to weight loss.

Ryan said, "You want him to be up and running and sort of confident in his swing and confident in his game plan (on Abhishek), and when you score three zeros, that is going to start weighing on you. I saw some really good signs on Friday night in the nets. I think I mentioned it in the presser then. But he looks a little bit short, and our job as the coaching staff is to pull that right. We have got four days to do that."

Finishing role also under pressure

Ryan also spoke about Rinku Singh’s role at number seven or eight, where chances to bat have been limited.

He said, "There is no point talking about rhythm in nets or how guys are feeling or what they are not feeling. It is time to pull our sleeves up and get performance out of all the players, and like I just said there, that is the challenge for the staff, along with the players now, to regroup and put in a big effort leading up to the next game against Zimbabwe."

India now head into the next matches needing a quick response from their batting unit, with the top order and team balance under close watch.