Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth has raised the prospect that Ishan Kishan’s explosive performance against New Zealand could put pressure on another senior batter’s spot in the Indian side.
Srikkanth’s comments came after Kishan starred in a dramatic run chase during the second T20I, underlining how competition for places in the team is intensifying ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Kris Srikkanth says Ishan Kishan’s form could force Sanju Samson out of the team
Kris Srikkanth explained his point with an unfiltered view on squad dynamics following India’s win over New Zealand.
“Now the question mark is what will you do when Tilak returns? Does Sanju Samson go out? Sanju is under pressure. He is looking desperate. Why are you becoming desperate? When he was dropped once, he should have just taken a single.
“The mistake he did was he went after the bowling rather than giving the strike to Abhishek,” Srikkanth said.
He added: “You got a six. Rotate the strike, get back your rhythm. He became desperate. And when you become desperate, you become greedy. This is what happens.”
Srikkanth’s remarks pointed directly at Sanju Samson, who has struggled for consistency in recent matches.
With Kishan’s return to form, selectors may face tough choices about batting positions and where each player best fits in the team’s quest for T20 World Cup success.
Ishan Kishan’s brilliant second T20I innings adds pressure
Ishan Kishan responded emphatically in the second T20I against New Zealand, scoring a destructive 76 off just 32 balls as India chased down a challenging target of 209 with ease.
The knock came in just his second match back after more than two years away from international cricket, and he earned Player of the Match honours for his efforts.
Kishan’s innings played a key role in India’s seven-wicket win over New Zealand, taking the hosts to a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Speaking further about the team situation, Srikkanth highlighted how Kishan’s batting and additional skill set as a wicketkeeper could add pressure elsewhere in the batting lineup.
“Now he knows Ishan is scoring and is also a wicketkeeper, so that is going to put pressure on him. Now Gill can ask what he did, Shreyas is sitting out.
“The competition is so huge. Surya took some time and then got going. Sanju should have looked to do that,” he stated.
With India’s T20 World Cup campaign looming, the tussle for batting slots has become sharper. Kishan’s return and his ability to perform in pressure chases only adds to the selection dilemmas facing the team management and selectors heading into the big event.
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