Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has suggested changes in the playing eleven of the Suryakumar Yadav-led team before the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Zimbabwe. The former all-rounder supported the inclusion of Axar Patel and Sanju Samson, saying that Samson can emerge as an X-factor in the crucial match.
Team India will take on Zimbabwe in its second Super 8 match in Chennai on Thursday, February 26. India are under pressure after their heavy defeat against South Africa and need a win to stay in the tournament. Middle-order batsman Rinku Singh has reportedly returned home due to a family emergency.
Can Sanju Samson be the X-factor – Suresh Raina in India’s playing XI
During the discussion on JioHotstar, Suresh Raina said that Sanju Samson can be the X-factor in the match against Zimbabwe. Raina suggested that Samson should replace Tilak Verma to counter India’s left-handed batsmen at the top of the order.
“You have to bring in Axar Patel first. Will Tilak Verma play at No. 3 or will Sanju Samson be added there? CSK have got him this year. So it remains to be seen how he performs there.”
The former Indian all-rounder said, “The fans will definitely support him. I think you should bring Sanju at No. 3 because you already have two left-handers at the top. Suryakumar Yadav is batting well.”
He said, “Rinku Singh is down the order, and if Akshar comes in place of Washington Sundar, he also plays well. Hard-hitting Shivam Dubey is batting differently. However, if a right-handed batsman comes in, can Sanju Samson be the X-factor? I think there are two changes here – bring Sanju in at No. 3 and bring in Akshar Patel in place of Vashish.”
You have to win the first two matches – Suresh Raina
In the same discussion, Suresh Raina said that the match between South Africa and West Indies will help India in its approach against Zimbabwe. Raina also said that scoring around 200 runs will not be easy in Chennai, so India will have to focus on batting.
He said, “Ahmedabad is very important because the match is taking place in the afternoon. Then you will know the equation and what you have to do in the evening. 200 runs or more will not be scored so easily in Chennai. You have to bat properly.”
“As far as the net run rate is concerned, you have to win the first two matches. When the last match comes, that match will be in Kolkata, it is an even smaller ground, the toss will be very important because you want to chase the target in less overs,” Raina said.
Sanju Samson’s only appearance for India in T20 World Cup 2026
Sanju Samson played only one match in the tournament, scoring 22 runs from eight balls in a 93-run win over Namibia in Delhi on 12 February. Meanwhile, Washington Sundar was selected over Axar Patel in the matches against Netherlands and South Africa.
India struggled against South Africa in their first Super Eight match and lost by 76 runs. In that match, Tilak Verma had scored only one run on two balls. Sundar bowled two overs for 17 runs without taking any wicket and scored 11 runs at run-a-ball pace.
India can still qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026 if they win their remaining two matches and South Africa beats West Indies. However, if West Indies beats South Africa, India may face a difficult situation, as they may need to overcome a large net run rate difference to advance.
Also Read: Shivam Dubey likely to suffer serious hand injury ahead of IND vs ZIM clash (watch video)
