The India National Cricket Team faces a big selection headache just hours before the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22, and Sanju Samson’s name is almost backed by every cricket expert, including Mohammad Kaif.
Too many left-handers in the batting order becomes headache for India
India’s batting order looks strong on paper, but there is one big issue, and that is having too many left-handers. For the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, India has nine left-handed players. The top three—Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma—all bat left-handed.
Then come Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh. The rival teams have already spotted this pattern. They attack India with right-arm off-spinners. In the group stage, India scored at just 6.36 runs per over against off-spin.
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That is one of the lowest rates in the tournament. The average also dropped badly. India’s struggle and pressure are quite visible. Still, the Indian coaching staff backed the plan. Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel supported the aggressive style of the left-handers.
Mohammad Kaif called for Sanju Samson’s inclusion
They believe these players can destroy any bowling attack on their day. However, ahead of the big South Africa clash, former India batter Mohammad Kaif has raised a strong point. He feels teams find it easy to plan against India because of the left-heavy top order.
One off-spinner can create big trouble for the defending champions, and Kaif believes that the wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson can solve this problem. The cricket pandit feels Samson brings balance; he is a right-hander and plays spin well. That alone can break the opposition’s plan.
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Kaif posted, X: “India has way too many left-handers in the top order—this makes it easy for opponents to make tactical plans and pick off-spinners as ideal match-ups. Adding Sanju Samson to the mix could help.”
India has way too many left-handers in top order – this makes it easy for opponents to make tactical plans and pick off-spinners as ideal match-ups. Adding Sanju Samson to the mix could help.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 22, 2026
Varun Aaron names Aiden Markram as India’s biggest headache
Meanwhile, the former Indian pacer Varun Aaron has issued a strong warning to India over Aiden Markram. Aaron feels the South Africa captain can be the biggest problem for India, as he is in superb form and looks very confident at the crease.
So far in the tournament, Markram has scored 178 runs in just four innings. He has already hit two half-centuries. His average is close to 60, and his strike rate is 190. And the commentator noted that Markram’s numbers show how dangerous he can be in T20 cricket.
Aaron believes that Markram has the skill and confidence to even take on Jasprit Bumrah, who is India’s main weapon with the ball. He wants India to plan carefully and get him out early.
Varun Aaron said on Star Sports, “But Aiden Markram, for me, is the most dangerous batter because he has the technique to counter Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah with the new ball has obviously been in prime form, and so has Hardik Pandya.”
Washington Sundar backed for IND vs SA Super 8 clash
He also feels India should consider playing Washington Sundar against South Africa. He noted that South Africa has many strong left-handers like Marcon Jansen, Ryan Rickelton, Quinton de Kock, and David Miller, and off-spin can trouble them. Given that Aaron also believes that the slow Ahmedabad pitch could help spin, making Washington a smart option.
