Defending champions India have recalled Sanju Samson and Axar Patel for their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s fixture against Zimbabwe in Chennai on Thursday. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and chose to bowl first.
IND vs ZIM, T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s: Live Updates | Scorecard
The two changes come after India suffered a heavy defeat against South Africa in their previous Super 8s game, a result that put their semifinal qualification under pressure. Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar are the two players to make way.
Samson’s inclusion was met with huge cheers from the Chepauk crowd when Suryakumar Yadav confirmed his name at the toss. It is not hard to see why. The wicketkeeper-batter is set to represent Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, having recently moved from Rajasthan Royals in an all-cash deal, and the Chennai faithful have clearly already taken to him.
He was also the first Indian player to head out for warm-ups before the toss, taking catching drills and enjoying a bit of football with Rinku Singh, the very player he has replaced in the XI.
Samson returns after a spell on the bench. He last featured in India’s group-stage win over Namibia, scoring 22 off just eight balls at the top of the order. Suryakumar confirmed he will keep wickets, with Ishan Kishan making way behind the stumps.
His recall also addresses a concern that has been building within the camp. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had hinted on the eve of the match that India were discussing the issue of having three left-handers at the top of the order.
Zimbabwe had clearly done their homework too, training specifically to bowl wide of the crease to left-handers and placing markers on the pitch for their spinners during Wednesday’s session. With Samson coming in, India appear to have broken up that cluster at the top.
Axar’s return is equally notable. The vice-captain was dropped for the South Africa game in favour of Washington Sundar, a decision that drew sharp criticism. India lost heavily, and the management moved quickly to restore him to the side.
Zimbabwe have also made one change, with Tinotenda Maposa coming in for Richard Cremer.
India’s path to the semifinals remains in its own hands. Wins over Zimbabwe and the West Indies will be enough to see them through, with net run-rate not a concern. South Africa’s victory over the West Indies in Ahmedabad earlier on Thursday has made the equation even clearer for Rohit Sharma’s side.
India’s Playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah
Zimbabwe’s Playing XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (C), Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
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