Red-hot Kishan makes opener’s slot his own

Four days after their last international outing and three days before the start of their T20 World Cup title defence, the Men in Blue took the field on Wednesday for their lone warm-up game. The biggest takeaway from the outing was a strong signal from the team management: Ishan Kishan over Sanju Samson as opener-wicketkeeper.

After Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bat at the Dr. D.Y. Patil Stadium against South Africa, Kishan walked out to open alongside Abhishek Sharma. While Abhishek — the designated marauder — played second fiddle, Kishan picked up right where he had left off in Thiruvananthapuram four nights earlier.

Lungi Ngidi pitched it full in the opening over and was dispatched over the ropes twice with authority. Anrich Nortje then tested Kishan with short stuf, only for the left-hander to swivel into a stylish, one-legged pull that sailed over deep fine-leg. The ball kept flying as Kishan tore into the South African attack before being retired out for a blistering 53 (20b, 2×4, 7×6).

That knock may well have slammed the door shut on Samson’s hopes of finally getting game-time in a T20 World Cup opener — this time at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. The message became even clearer when Tilak Varma, returning from a testicular surgery that had ruled him out of the New Zealand series, was sent in to bat with two balls remaining in the Powerplay after Kishan’s retirement.

It all but confirmed that Kishan and Abhishek are the preferred opening pair for India’s tournament opener against the United States of America.

Samson might feel aggrieved. After spending the entire triumphant 2024 campaign as a reserve, his returns against New Zealand — a modest 46 runs across five innings as an opener — have not helped his cause. Kishan, meanwhile, has made the most of his recall after a two-year absence, smashing 215 runs in four innings, including a century on Samson’s home turf.

The reshuffle could leave India with an all left-handed top three. But Suryakumar had already played down the importance of left-right combinations during the squad announcement in December, calling it “over-rated” for the top four, while earmarking No. 4 as his own slot with Tilak at three.

With Kishan in red-hot form, India’s management will hope the pocket dynamo can rip through attacks over the next four weeks. For Samson, though, the wait may stretch on — painfully, and indefinitely.

Later, Harshit Rana hobbled his way out of the ground after bowling a solitary over. He pulled out of his run-up twice before holding his knee and gently walking off the field.

The scores: India 240/6 in 20 overs (Kishan 53, Tilak 45, Axar 35 n.o.) bt South Africa 210/7 in 20 overs (Rickelton 44, Stubbs 45 n.o.). Toss: India.