Why is Sanju Samson not playing the IND vs SA 1st T20I? Check India Playing XI for the series opener

The final phase of South Africa tour of India has kicked off at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. The Men in Blue continued their poor run with toss luck as the coin flipped in favour of the visitors. Aiden Markram put India in to bat first in the IND vs SA 1st T20I. Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian skipper, then listed the players who failed to secure a place in the Playing XI. Along with Harshit Rana and Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson was also revealed to be on the bench. With the 2026 T20 World Cup just around the corner, the combination the Men in Blue field now is a significant step in their preparation.

Sanju Samson dropped from the India Playing XI for IND vs SA 1st T20I

On the eve of the India vs South Africa T20I series opener, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav made it clear that there is no debate regarding the opening spot. With Shubman Gill fit to play, the opening position went to the captain’s preferred choice, leaving Sanju Samson in limbo. SKY further stated that if Samson features in the India Playing XI, he will be positioned in the middle order. However, the captain did not clarify whether Samson or Jitesh Sharma will be given the preference for selection.

As it turns out, Jitesh Sharma, who featured during the Australia tour, has edged out Sanju Samson in the selection race. Along with Samson, Kuldeep Yadav was also omitted from the Playing XI for the IND vs SA 1st T20I. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav explained that the team has decided to continue backing Jitesh Sharma as the preferred wicketkeeper and to field only one frontline spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, for the series opener.

Both exclusions stem from strategic considerations, as India has chosen to persist with the template used during the final three matches of the Australia tour. Jitesh, who had replaced Samson as the leading wicketkeeper in that series, keeps his spot. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh’s return forces Kuldeep out of the line-up, with the management sticking firmly to their plan of playing eight batters alongside a trio of all-rounders, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, to maintain depth across departments.

Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana are also among the players who did not make the cut for the starting XI. From the team that featured in the rain-abandoned fifth T20I against Australia, the only alteration is Tilak Varma stepping in for Rinku Singh, who was not named in the 15-member squad. In addition, Hardik Pandya’s recovery from injury sees him reclaim Washington Sundar’s place in the side.

India Playing XI for the IND vs SA 1st T20I

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma(w), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh

India squad for India vs South Africa T20I series

Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma(w), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana