T20 WC: Why Sanju Samson is not in India's playing XI against USA

Sanju Samson was not named successful India’s playing XI for their opening lucifer of the T20 World Cup 2026 against the United States of America astatine the Wankhede Stadium successful Mumbai connected Saturday.India skipper Suryakumar Yadav confirmed astatine the flip that Ishan Kishan replaced Samson astatine the apical of the order, opening the innings with Abhishek Sharma. Tilak Verma was included successful the mediate order. USA skipper Monank Patel won the flip and chose to vessel first.India besides near retired Jasprit Bumrah, who is unwell, with Mohammed Siraj coming into the XI. Washington Sundar did not marque the squad either."We person Washi (Washington Sundar) missing out, Sanju (Samson) missing out.

Unfortunately, Bumrah is not good truthful Siraj is playing," said Suryakumar Yadav astatine the toss."We were looking to bat first. Wicket looks good, determination is upwind astir truthful we don't expect dew. It's live adjacent earlier the crippled starts and I americium definite it is going to beryllium adjacent better," helium added.Samson had opened the batting successful the past 5 T20I matches during the bid against New Zealand but did not people galore runs. In India’s lone warm-up lucifer earlier the T20 World Cup, Samson did not bat.

Kishan, meanwhile, strengthened his lawsuit with caller performances. Batting astatine No. 3, helium scored a half-century and a period successful New Zealand series. He besides opened the innings successful the warm-up crippled against South Africa, scoring 53 disconnected 20 balls and keeping wickets successful that match.Apart from Samson, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar were not included successful India’s playing XI for the match.TeamsIndia: Ishan Kishan (w), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakaravarthy.USA: Saiteja Mukkamalla, Andries Gous (wk), Monank Patel (c), Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Shubham Ranjane, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan.