Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn feels that Team India must not think twice about their opening combination if wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan is among the runs once again. The southpaw has been in exceptional form after a stunning comeback series against New Zealand recently, in stark contrast to Sanju Samson, who averaged only 9.20 in the five-match affair.

Team India persisted with Sanju Samson for all five-matches against New Zealand after a late call to reinstate him at the top of the order at the expense of Shubman Gill. However, with only a contest in the form of a warm-up encounter against South Africa ahead of the start of the tournament, the Men in Blue have to take the call regarding their final opening combination.

Dale Steyn opined that the prospect of having two left-handers at the top should not hold India back from unleashing the duo of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan together.

“There is always the debate of having a left-right combination at the top of the order, but I think, inside the first six overs, it really does not matter. It is more in the middle overs where you are concerned having that left-right combination. The form that Sanju is in right now, or the lack of form that he is in, I think Ishan just fits right in. If he scores runs, that’s it, it’s cemented, he is opening the batting in the first game of the World Cup,” Dale Steyn said on Jio Hotstar ahead of India’s warm-up clash against South Africa.

Former India and CSK opener Abhinav Mukund also vouched for the opening pair of the two southpaws, while adding that Sanju Samson can have a go in the middle order since it is a warm-up contest.

“I think there will be an opportunity for someone like Sanju to get a hit tonight. But Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma will open, because that is something that they have not tried. Possibly, Sanju might bat in a position where Suryakumar Yadav bats usually, that is the kind of thing that this team management does usually,” Mukund said.

“I don’t think Sanju Samson will start as an opening batter come tonight and in the first game of the World Cup. I think Kishan will open tonight, because Sanju Samson, with a lack of form, and lack of runs. It is really unfortunate that he is the one who is going to have to miss out, but I have a feeling that tonight is the first time we are going to see what India plans for the World Cup,” he added.

Ishan Kishan slammed his maiden T20I ton in the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram, while Sanju Samson perished for a run-a-ball six in front of his home crowd.

Suryakumar Yadav confirms Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan to open the innings in IND vs SA T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match

Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav confirmed at the toss that it will be the dynamic duo of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan to open the batting for the very first time.

“There will be some dew, so, we want our bowlers to be challenged. Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma will open today,” Suryakumar Yadav said after opting to bat first.

Team India recently faced South Africa in the subcontinent to close out 2025. The Men in Blue had won the five-match series by a 3-1 margin.