Subramaniam Badrinath has backed Sanju Samson to continue as India's opening batter alongside Abhishek Sharma for the entire five-match T20I series in New Zealand. The series begins on October 22. Samson and Sharma have emerged as strong contenders for India's opening slot following their recent performances in the home series against West Indies, where they opened together in four completed matches of the 2-2 draw.
Badrinath's endorsement comes at a time when Samson's form has drawn scrutiny since the 2026 T20 World Cup. Several fans and experts have called for Vaibhav Suryavanshi to be India's regular T20I opener, given Samson's inconsistent performances. However, Samson, Abhishek and Suryavanshi are all part of the Indian squad for the New Zealand series. Badrinath, a former India batter, has consistently advocated for giving established players an extended run rather than rotating between options.
Badrinath stated that Samson scored in two of the five matches against West Indies and should retain his opening position with Sharma throughout the New Zealand tour.
"Sanju Samson scored in two of the five matches against the West Indies. He should open with Abhishek Sharma in all five T20Is in New Zealand," Badrinath said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Why should Samson and Sharma continue as India's opening pair?
Samson was named Player of the Tournament at the 2026 T20 World Cup, a recognition of his standout performances in that event. Badrinath had earlier stated that Samson should receive an extended run till the end of the year, having scored two centuries and won India the World Cup. Abhishek Sharma and Samson have both impressed in recent international cricket.
What is the broader context of the opening slot debate?
The debate over India's opening partnership reflects the team's search for consistency at the top of the order. Badrinath's position has been that if Samson fails during an extended run, the team should then pick Sooryavanshi, rather than alternating between the two from one series to the next. This approach emphasises giving players sufficient opportunities to prove themselves before making changes. The New Zealand series provides another opportunity for Samson and Sharma to demonstrate their credentials as a long-term opening combination for India's T20I team.
