Ishan Rises as T20 Specialist

In the high-octane world of T20 cricket, where every ball can swing fortunes and aggression reigns supreme, India faces a perennial wicketkeeper-batter conundrum: Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson? Both are prodigiously talented, capable of dismantling bowling attacks on their day, and have donned the gloves for the national side. Yet, as we approach the T20 World Cup 2026, the scales tip decisively toward Ishan Kishan as the better choice. His explosive form, tactical fit, and reliability under pressure make him the ideal pick for a format that demands consistency amid chaos. While Samson dazzles with occasional brilliance, his inconsistency and recent slump highlight why Kishan should be India’s go-to man in the shortest format.

Let’s start with the numbers, which paint a telling picture. In T20 Internationals, Samson edges out in overall strike rate and experience, boasting 1032 runs in 52 matches at a strike rate of 148.06 and an average of 25.8. He has three centuries, a feat that underscores his potential for match-winning knocks. However, dig deeper, and the cracks appear. After his first 32 T20Is, Samson’s average dipped to 19.32 with a strike rate of 132.69, and only two fifties to his name. Kishan, in contrast, after the same number of games, amassed 796 runs at 25.67, striking at 124.37 with six half-centuries. While Kishan’s strike rate seems lower, his recent surge tells a different story. In the ongoing build-up to the World Cup, including the New Zealand series, Kishan has notched a 43-ball 103 and a 32-ball 76, showcasing a strike rate north of 200 in key innings. Samson’s scores in the same series? A dismal 10, 6, 0, and 24. This isn’t a blip; it’s a pattern. Samson’s T20I career is littered with highs like his 111 against Ireland but plagued by failures that leave India scrambling.

Beyond stats, Kishan’s playing style aligns perfectly with modern T20 demands. He’s a left-handed aggressor who thrives at the top, providing balance to a predominantly right-handed Indian lineup. This handedness disrupts bowlers’ lines, especially in powerplays where off-spinners and leg-spinners dominate. Since October 2023, Kishan has hammered 101 sixes in all T20s, at a rate of one every 9.64 balls—the best frequency among Indian batters with significant volume. His power-hitting is visceral: think of that 103 against New Zealand, laced with 10 sixes and six fours, turning a chase into a rout. Samson, a right-hander, relies more on elegance and timing, which can falter on slower pitches or against quality spin. His strike rate as an opener touches 180 in 18 innings, with 559 runs and three tons, but those centuries came in bilateral series against lesser attacks. Kishan, opening in 27 of his 32 T20Is, has 662 runs at a steady clip, with four fifties that often set the tone rather than steal the show. In T20s, foundations matter as much as fireworks, and Kishan’s ability to rotate strike while punishing loose balls makes him more reliable.

Wicketkeeping adds another layer. Both are competent, but Kishan edges ahead with sharper reflexes and better adaptability behind the stumps. Social media buzz often highlights this: one comparison notes Kishan as the “better wicket-keeper” alongside his aggression. Samson has fumbled in high-pressure scenarios, like the 2024 IPL where his Rajasthan Royals campaign ended amid keeping errors. Kishan, with Mumbai Indians, has been a consistent performer, even captaining in domestic circuits. For India, where Rishabh Pant is the primary keeper in longer formats, the T20 role needs someone who can seamlessly blend batting firepower with glove work. Kishan’s left-handed batting also allows flexibility in the order— he can open with Abhishek Sharma, creating a southpaw duo that terrorizes bowlers early.

Recent form seals the argument. In the warm-up against South Africa ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Kishan blasted 53 off 20 balls, including seven sixes, while Samson was benched entirely. This wasn’t coincidental; it signaled India’s intent. Kishan’s 53(20) in that game, coupled with his NZ exploits, has “impacted India’s T20 WC plans,” as one analyst put it, making the batting order “more clear and competitive.” Samson’s slump—failing to capitalize on opportunities—has led to calls for his exclusion, with experts like Parthiv Patel suggesting Kishan over him for the final NZ match. Even former captain Ajinkya Rahane backed Samson temporarily, but admitted Kishan might sit out only if Tilak Varma returns, implying the tide is turning. Online verdicts are blunt: after Kishan’s 103, the internet declared him “snatching” Samson’s spot.

This isn’t to diminish Samson, whose talent is undeniable. His range against spin and ability to accelerate in the middle order could still earn him a squad role. But T20 cricket is unforgiving; it rewards those who deliver consistently, not sporadically. India’s dominance since 2023— a 48-8 win-loss ratio in T20Is, with a run rate of 9.69—stems from batters like Kishan who embody relentless aggression. With Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya in the mix, Kishan fits as the explosive opener who provides left-hand balance and keeping assurance.

In conclusion, for T20s, Ishan Kishan is the superior choice over Sanju Samson. His stats, style, and scorching form align with India’s blueprint for World Cup glory. Selectors must prioritize impact over potential—Kishan delivers that in spades. As the 2026 tournament looms, betting on him isn’t just smart; it’s essential for lifting the trophy.

(The writer is a senior journalist based in Mumbai. Views personal.)