Sanju Samson Recall on the Cards? India's Biggest Selection Call Before 4th T20I

India face a do-or-die clash against England in the fourth T20I at Bristol on Thursday, with the visitors needing a victory to keep the five-match series alive after trailing 2-0.

Following India's record 125-run defeat at Trent Bridge, the biggest talking point heading into the match is whether Sanju Samson will return to the playing XI.

Will Gambhir bring Sanju Samson back?

Samson was dropped after the opening T20I, with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi replacing him at the top of the order.

While the teenager has shown flashes of promise, India's batting has struggled collectively against England's pace attack, prompting fresh calls for Samson's return.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir also left the door open after the third T20I, saying there was "no hard and fast rule" preventing Samson from making a comeback later in the series.

That has only fuelled speculation that the wicketkeeper-batter could be recalled for Thursday's must-win encounter.

Public pressure continues to grow

The debate around Samson has intensified over the past week.

Following India's heavy defeat at Trent Bridge, chants of "We Want Sanju" were heard from Indian supporters outside the stadium as the team left for the hotel.

The calls come after another controversial selection decision earlier in the tour, with former captain Suryakumar Yadav also left out following India's T20 World Cup triumph.

What changes could India make?

If Samson is recalled, the biggest question is where he fits into the batting order.

Rather than dropping Sooryavanshi after only two matches, India could instead reshuffle the middle order.

Vice-captain Tilak Varma has endured a disappointing series despite scoring a half-century against Ireland earlier in the tour. Against England, he has managed scores of 13, 24* and 3, raising questions over his place in the XI.

Ishan Kishan is expected to retain both the wicketkeeping gloves and his place in the side, meaning Samson could return purely as a specialist batter if selected.

Batting and bowling both under pressure

India's problems have extended well beyond team selection.

England's pace duo of Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue have dominated throughout the series, exposing India's top order with pace and bounce. The pair shared seven wickets in the third T20I as India were bowled out for just 76 while chasing 202.

The bowling attack has also struggled for consistency. Varun Chakravarthy has managed just one wicket across the series, while tactical decisions, including promoting Harshit Rana ahead of Shivam Dube during the chase at Trent Bridge, have also come under scrutiny.

England eye series victory

While India search for answers, England head into Bristol with momentum firmly on their side.

Phil Salt returned to form with a match-winning 70 in Nottingham, while Archer and Tongue have established themselves as one of the standout new-ball partnerships of the series.

A victory on Thursday would hand England an unassailable 3-0 lead, while India must win to force the contest into the final T20I in Southampton.