Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Samson and Sooryavanshi Vie for India’s Opening Spot
India and West Indies are preparing to play a T20 cricket match in Lucknow on Tuesday.
India’s coach, Gautam Gambhir, has to choose who will open the batting.
He could pick Sanju Samson or teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while Abhishek Sharma is expected to play.
The article says all three are unlikely to be in the same team.
India also has choices to make about its fast bowlers and whether to add another batter.
West Indies has several players with plenty of experience in T20 cricket.
India has won nine of its last 10 home games against West Indies.
But West Indies is described as a strong side that can beat any team on its day.
India are set to face West Indies in the opening T20 International in Lucknow on Tuesday.
Coach Gautam Gambhir must weigh opening with Sanju Samson against selecting teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with Abhishek Sharma expected to feature.
India’s pace choices include Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav; Naman Dhir could add batting depth.
West Indies bring experienced T20 players including Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell and Romario Shepherd.
India have won nine of their last 10 home games against West Indies, while West Indies have won two T20 World Cups.
- Who
- India and West Indies; India is captained by Shreyas Iyer and West Indies by Shai Hope.
- What
- The teams are set to play the opening T20 International.
- When
- Tuesday; the report is dated October 5.
- Where
- Ekana Stadium, Lucknow.
- Why
- The reports preview the match and discuss India's selection decisions and the teams' strengths.
Selection possibilities
Considerations
Samson or Sooryavanshi
Selection possibilities
Gambhir may bring Samson back as an opener, particularly given the batting-friendly conditions expected at Ekana Stadium.
Considerations
Sooryavanshi is another option after opening alongside Abhishek Sharma at the Asian Games; the reports say Samson and Sooryavanshi are unlikely to fit in the same XI.
Pace bowling or batting depth
Selection possibilities
India could use one or both of the relatively inexperienced pace bowlers Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav alongside Arshdeep Singh.
Considerations
Naman Dhir could play to strengthen the batting, potentially taking the place of either Mayank or Prince.
- Match
- Opening T20 International of the series
- Venue
- Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
- India captain
- Shreyas Iyer
- West Indies captain
- Shai Hope
- India opening selection
- Sanju Samson or Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, alongside expected starter Abhishek Sharma
- India home record
- Won nine of the last 10 home games against West Indies
- West Indies T20 World Cup titles
- Two, in 2012 and 2016
