As India Get ready for an important Super 8 clash against zimbabwe In ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026East Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsman Subramaniam Badrinath has shared his ideal playing XI, suggesting two important changes to bring balance and stability to the team.
India wants to make a strong comeback after the competitive match South AfricaBadrinath believes that minor but decisive adjustments can make a significant difference in the knockout stage of the tournament.
No place for Tilak Verma
The first major change of Badrinath was to bring sanju samson In place of out-of-form Tilak Verma. The left-handed batsman, who has featured in five matches so far, has managed just 107 runs in the tournament. While Tilak has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, his inconsistency in this campaign has raised concerns. With no room for experimentation in the Super 8 stage, Badrinath feels India need a batsman who can pace and anchor depending on the match situation.
Samson, who is known for his brilliant stroke play and ability to dominate spin, can provide that X-factor in the middle order. His experience in high-pressure games and versatility against both pace and spin make him a strong candidate, especially against a Zimbabwe bowling unit that relies heavily on discipline and control.
Return of vice-captain Akshar Patel
The second change suggested by Badrinath was the addition of the vice-captain. Akshar Patel In place of washington beautiful. Axar has been one of India’s most reliable players in this edition, taking six wickets so far and also scoring crucial runs down the order when needed. His ability to bowl tough overs and achieve success in the middle stages adds depth to India’s bowling attack.
In contrast, Sundar is yet to make his wicket debut in the tournament. Although he remains a capable all-rounder, Badrinath believes Axar’s current form and wicket-taking ability gives him an edge in winning situations.
Badrinath’s suggested XI reflects a balance between aggression and control. The top order provides explosive starts, while the middle order blends innovation with power. leading the bowling attack Jasprit Bumrah and supported by Arshdeep Singh And Varun ChakrabortyProvides variety in different stages.
Subramaniam Badrinath’s India XI for Zimbabwe match: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah.
Also read: T20 World Cup 2026: Suresh Raina suggests 2 major changes in India’s XI for Zimbabwe Super 8 clash