Sanju Samson close to re-entering India’s Playing XI as India hint at ‘changes’ for must-win Zimbabwe Super 8 clash

India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak stopped short of confirming any change in personnel, but his press conference on Tuesday strongly suggested that team management is actively weighing tweaks to the batting combination ahead of a high-pressure clash - with Sanju Samson very much in the conversation.

India’s batting returns in the tournament have come under scrutiny, especially after the top order’s repeated stumbles. Kotak, however, resisted panic. Instead, he framed the ongoing discussions as tactical, opposition-driven, and part of normal team planning rather than a desperate reaction. In that process, Samson’s name emerged as a serious option.

When asked directly whether conversations had taken place around Samson and possible changes involving him and Axar Patel, Kotak was clear that the subject had been discussed.

Kotak leaves the door open on selection rethink

“There can be changes, yes”, Kotak said. “And obviously, it goes without saying that we discussed.”

He then offered a glimpse into the thinking behind those conversations, pointing to the left-heavy top order and match-up considerations.

“Because there are two lefty opening, number three is left-handed, and the opposition’s bowling option,” he said. “I personally don’t think that there is any problem there, also. But because in the last three games, we lost three wickets early. Obviously, any team would think. So we are thinking, and we’ll see how it goes,” he further added.

Kotak, though, was equally careful not to reveal too much, adding that the team management does not finalise the XI too early. “Because we never decide the team too early. And obviously, it is not fair to start telling your plannings also in so advance. But yes, there are definitely thoughts,” Kotak said.

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The repeated emphasis on thoughts and changes was the closest he came to acknowledging a possible adjustment at the top.

Kotak was also asked whether the previous day’s net session offered clues, with observers noting Samson batting at the beginning while Abhishek Sharma was bowling. He dismissed that interpretation, but in doing so, again reinforced Samson’s relevance to the selection discussion.

“Sanju normally always bats if we have that space because Abhishek doesn’t bat. And Sanju is the third opener and a wicketkeeper. So he bats always,” Kotak said. He further clarified that the training routines should not be read as a direct indication of the playing XI. “So, that is not an indication. Yes, definitely, there will be thought about playing him. There is no doubt. But nets doesn’t give any indication, I don’t think.”

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