Ahmedabad – The Indian cricket team continued preparations for their crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 clash against Australia, with focus shifting to Sanju Samson at the nets following Rinku Singh’s return home. The team is navigating a delicate balance of form and tactical adjustments after a significant 76-run defeat to South Africa on February 22nd, 2026, a result that has prompted scrutiny of team selection and strategy. The training session offered a glimpse into potential changes as players fine-tuned their skills ahead of the next challenge.
Rinku Singh’s departure from the squad, while not detailed in terms of reason, has opened up opportunities for other players to stake a claim in the middle order. The return of players like Samson to the nets suggests a potential reshuffle, particularly as the team assesses its options on a pitch expected to favor spin. India’s tactical approach has been under the microscope, with the recent decision to omit vice-captain Axar Patel raising eyebrows among analysts and fans alike.
Axar Patel Back in the Mix?
Adding to the intrigue, Axar Patel, who sat out India’s previous two games, participated in both batting and bowling drills during the training session, signaling a possible return to contention. This is particularly noteworthy given the black-soil pitch conditions, which are expected to assist spin bowlers. According to reports, the surface is drier than typical Ahmedabad pitches, potentially negating the early tackiness that benefits teams bowling first. NDTV Sports reported that Patel spent nearly 30 minutes polishing his left-arm spin skills.
The decision to bench Axar Patel for Washington Sundar in the match against South Africa was described by Suryakumar Yadav as a “tactical” one, hinting at a strategy to exploit potential matchups against South Africa’s opening batsmen, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton, with off-spin. However, the heavy defeat has prompted a re-evaluation of that approach. The team’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, clarified that the decision was based on match-ups and the need for specific skills against the opposition. India Today detailed the coach’s explanation.
Team Composition and Strategy
India’s lineup for the match against Australia currently stands as: 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Ishan Kishan (wk), 3 Tilak Varma, 4 Suryakumar Yadav (capt.), 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Shivam Dube, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Varun Chakravarthy. The potential inclusion of Axar Patel would likely necessitate a change to this composition, potentially at the expense of Washington Sundar. South Africa, meanwhile, fielded a full-strength side, with Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, and David Miller returning after being rested in the previous match. Kagiso Rabada retained his place over Anrich Nortje.
The South African captain, Aiden Markram, opted to bat first in Ahmedabad, a decision echoed by Suryakumar Yadav, who indicated he would have done the same. Markram cited the drier nature of the black-soil pitch as a key factor in his decision, aiming to exploit the conditions before they potentially deteriorate. The pitch is the same one used in the previous match against the Netherlands.
Focus likewise remains on Sanju Samson, who has been actively involved in net sessions. Samson’s presence at the nets suggests the team management is considering his potential role in the upcoming matches, particularly given the need for flexibility in the batting order. ESPNcricinfo highlighted the focus on Samson during training.
As India prepares to face Australia, the team will be looking to address the shortcomings exposed in their defeat to South Africa. The potential return of Axar Patel and the continued assessment of Sanju Samson indicate a willingness to adapt and explore different options as they navigate the challenges of the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup.
The coming days will be crucial as the team finalizes its strategy and lineup for the match against Australia. The selection decisions and tactical approach will be closely scrutinized as India aims to bounce back from their recent setback and progress further in the tournament. Share your thoughts on India’s potential lineup and strategy in the comments below.
