T20 World Cup Shake-up: Will Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Verma be on leave? Team India ready for Sanju Samson’s return

News India Live, Digital Desk: The abundance of ‘left-handed batsmen’ in the batting order of Team India is now becoming a pain in the neck for the team. In the match against South Africa, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Verma – all three left-handed batsmen were out cheaply in the powerplay, due to which the team management is now forced to change its strategy.1. Sanju Samson returns with ‘promotion’ According to reports, Sanju Samson may be given a chance in the top-order in the next match against Zimbabwe. Reason: Mohammad Kaif and other veterans believe that with only left-handed batsmen in the top-3, the opposition teams are easily trapping India by using ‘off-spinners’. Sanju Samson is an excellent right-hander option who plays spin well. Possible positions: He could be tried in place of Abhishek Sharma opening or in place of Tilak Verma at number 3. 2. Threat to Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh? Abhishek Sharma: Abhishek’s bat has been silent so far in the tournament (4 ducks in the last 6 innings). His aggressive but ‘high-risk’ batting is putting the team under pressure early on. Rinku Singh and Tilak Verma: Tilak Verma may have to sit out to create balance in the middle order, while questions are also being raised on Rinku Singh’s place as the team now wants an additional bowling option or a ‘right-left’ combination.3. Crisis of ‘right-left’ combination: India currently does not have any effective right-handed batsman in the top order except Suryakumar Yadav. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also admitted that the consistent dismissal of left-handed batsmen is a matter of concern. “Opposition teams are starting with part-time off-spinners against us and we are having success. We need to break this pattern.” Ryan Ten Doeschate India’s probable playing XI for the next match (vs Zimbabwe): Ishan Kishan (WK) Sanju Samson / Abhishek Sharma Suryakumar Yadav (C) Tilak Verma / Axar Patel (Promoted) Hardik Pandyasivam Dubey / Rinku Singh Washington SundarKuldeep Yadav / Varun Chakraborty Jasprit BumrahArshdeep Singh Mohammed Siraj