Key Highlights
- Sanju Samson is out of India’s likely playing XI for the 4th T20I against New Zealand.
- Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma are expected to take Sanju Samson’s place in the lineup.
- Axar Patel, who missed the last two matches due to a finger injury, may return to the XI.
- The fourth T20I is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, at Visakhapatnam.
Sanju Samson’s Omission and New Lineup
In a significant change ahead of India’s upcoming match against New Zealand in the fourth T20 International (T20I), Sanju Samson has been dropped from the likely playing XI. This decision comes after Samson struggled with the bat, scoring only 16 runs across three matches and contributing a golden duck in the third T20I played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on January 25.
Samson’s poor form has seen him replaced by Ishan Kishan as wicketkeeper-batsman. Additionally, Abhishek Sharma is expected to open the innings along with Kishan.
This change reflects India’s desire to bolster their batting lineup and potentially capitalize on the early overs of the match.
According to Harshit Bisht, the curator of this analysis, Ishan’s experience as an opener in white-ball cricket makes him a strong candidate for the role. In the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Ishan demonstrated his ability with a knock of 76 runs from just 32 balls, showcasing his potential to score quickly and effectively.
Spin Bowling Changes
Axar Patel, who missed the second and third T20Is due to a finger injury, is likely to feature in the fourth match. This decision aligns with Axar’s experience as an all-rounder capable of providing both spin bowling and support with the bat. His inclusion could be crucial given New Zealand’s strong batting lineup.
While Kuldeep Yadav performed poorly in the third T20I, Ravi Bishnoi impressed with his spin skills.
The team management may continue to trust Bishnoi, considering his bowling has been a key factor in India’s recent successes. Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy are also likely to return to the playing XI after being rested for the previous match.
India’s Likely Playing XI
The probable starting lineup for India against New Zealand includes:
- Abhishek Sharma (OPener)
- Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper-Batsman)
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
- Shivam Dube
- Axar Patel
- Hardik Pandya
- Rinku Singh
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Varun Chakaravarthy
The match is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. India’s recent performances suggest that they will be looking to capitalize on their strengths against New Zealand, who have shown resilience and skill throughout this series.
As the fourth T20I approaches, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these changes impact the match outcome. The upcoming game promises to be an exciting contest between two formidable teams, with India aiming to secure a strong position in the ongoing series.
