India Strongest Playing 11: Ishan Kishan In, Sanju Samson Out? T20 World Cup Best Lineup

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As India begin their campaign in the T20 World Cup 2026 against USA on February 7, one may have already got a proper indication of the team combination.

Gautam Gambhir and company have the difficult task of defending the ICC crown on home soil, and Suryakumar Yadav, as captain, may have already shown how the team shall move forward.

On Wednesday (February 4), the Indian team played their solitary warm-up match against South Africa, and the scenario became crystal clear. Suryakumar, at the toss, confirmed that Ishan Kishan will open the innings along with Abhishek Sharma. Ishan opened and scored a blistering 53 off just 20 balls before being retired out to give the others an opportunity to bat.

India's Strongest Playing 11: Ishan Kishan In, Sanju Samson Out

As India play USA in the first match on Saturday, here is a look at the strongest lineup for the team.

Ishan Kishan seems certain to open the innings again. The southpaw has been in blistering form in recent times and has definitely leapfrogged Sanju Samson to be India's no. 1 wicketkeeper in this marquee competition. In terms of form, Kishan has to be the first choice for India.

With Tilak Varma fit as a fiddle, team India may have three southpaws in their top four, with captain Suryakumar Yadav being the solitary right-handed batter. Tilak is set to be reinstated in his no. 4 role, while Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh will be deployed with the finishing role.

With the likes of Shivam Dube and Axar Patel also in the mix, Team India has a long list of left-handed batters in this competition. Dube, meanwhile, will have to sit out as India don't need an extra pace-bowling all-rounder in home conditions.

In the bowling, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah are set to spearhead the pace attack, while Varun Chakravarthy will lead the spin attack. Harshit Rana, due to his batting abilities, can also be slotted in the lineup to give the team a better balance.

India's Best Lineup for T20 World Cup

Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy

Reserves: Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube