Ishan Kishan vs Sanju Samson: Parthiv Patel Flags Batting Depth Concerns After Vizag T20I Loss

India's 50-run defeat to New Zealand in the fourth T20I at Visakhapatnam has triggered serious introspection within the team management, particularly around batting depth and team balance ahead of the T20 World Cup. Speaking on JioHotstar's 'Amul Cricket Live', former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel delivered a strong assessment of India's approach, calling for Ishan Kishan to be preferred over Sanju Samson in the final T20I as part of World Cup preparation.

Patel believes the loss in Vizag has exposed the limitations of India's six-batter strategy, especially while chasing big totals. According to him, the idea of going into major tournaments with only six specialist batters is no longer viable in modern T20 cricket. He stressed that India's aggressive batting philosophy demands depth till at least number eight, particularly when wickets fall in clusters. The Vizag defeat, he felt, made it clear that the cushion of extra batting is non-negotiable going forward.

While Shivam Dube's breathtaking 15-ball half-century briefly kept India in the hunt, Patel pointed out that repeated collapses around him underlined the structural issue in the lineup. He noted that India will continue to attack irrespective of match situations, which makes batting depth a strategic necessity rather than a luxury. Dube's knock, though sensational, also highlighted how isolated such efforts become without sustained support from the rest of the batting unit.

Patel was particularly forthright in his assessment of Sanju Samson's form. He questioned whether India can afford to persist with an out-of-form opener heading into a World Cup, noting that the concern was not just the lack of runs but the manner of Samson's dismissals. According to Patel, pressure or lack of confidence can no longer be cited as excuses at this stage of Samson's career, especially after multiple opportunities in the series.

In contrast, Patel strongly advocated for Ishan Kishan's inclusion in the final T20I, both as an opener and wicketkeeper. He argued that if India views Kishan as a first-choice keeper for the T20 World Cup, then match exposure behind the stumps must begin immediately. With reports suggesting Tilak Varma is likely to regain full fitness before the World Cup, Patel felt India must start making proactive decisions rather than delaying inevitable changes. He added that Kishan's recent batting displays, combined with his familiarity with pressure situations, make him a better fit for India's current needs.

On Shivam Dube's evolution, Patel was full of praise, highlighting how the all-rounder has addressed a once-glaring weakness against short-pitched bowling. He noted that fast bowlers had regularly exploited Dube with bouncers during the 2023-24 phase, but that flaw has now largely disappeared. Patel described Dube as a "format specialist," especially lethal against spin, and praised his ability to dominate both seamers and spinners in the Vizag T20I. The former India cricketer felt the time Dube spent at the crease was a major positive heading into the World Cup, reiterating that such performances were well within Dube's known potential.

Former India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, also part of the panel, echoed similar concerns over India's team composition. Chahal said the dressing room would inevitably revisit the six-batter strategy, especially after dropping Kishan despite his solid returns earlier in the series. He underlined that chases of 200-plus totals require not just explosive hitters but sustained batting depth, something India lacked once Dube was dismissed.

Chahal added that the return of players like Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel, along with the expected comeback of Tilak Varma, could significantly alter India's balance. He felt the Vizag loss could prove pivotal in reshaping selection thinking, ensuring India do not repeat the same tactical mistakes at the T20 World Cup.

With one match left in the series, the spotlight is firmly on India's selection call for the final T20I. As Patel summed it up, if World Cup preparation is truly the priority, Ishan Kishan should start now, not later.

The fifth T20I of New Zealand's tour of India will be played on January 31, live from 7:00 PM onwards on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.