IND vs NZ 2026: Suryakumar Yadav explains why Ishan Kishan was assigned wicketkeeping duties over Sanju Samson in 5th T20I

When Ishan Kishan took the gloves to the field during the fifth T20I against New Zealand on Saturday, cricket fans took a hint that Sanju Samson may not be preferred for a place in the Indian Playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2026. Notably, Samson failed to put up any solid performance in the recently concluded five-match series, whereas Ishan ended with 215 runs in four innings.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav was asked to settle the debate on why Ishan kept the wickets over Samson, who had been doing the duties until the fourth T20I. The captain replied that Ishan taking over the duties with the gloves in the last two matches was always a part of the plan, even before the series started. However, a niggle in the fourth match meant that Ishan could not take up the role. 

“Both wicketkeepers were part of the XI from game one since Tilak wasn’t available. Before the series started, we had already decided that Sanju would keep in three games and Ishan in two. Unfortunately, Ishan Kishan missed the last game due to a niggle, but otherwise he was scheduled to keep today anyway. These are the kinds of decisions and competition you expect before a World Cup,” Suryakumar was quoted as saying by India Today.

The 35-year-old was further asked whether Ishan would continue in the line-up but as an opener, or whether the Men in Blue will stick to Samson's pairing alongside Abhishek Sharma. While the question still remains unanswered, an injury to Tilak Varma meant that the team management was able to give game time to Ishan, regardless of his position in the batting order.

“We’ve always known what Ishan brings to the table. We saw how he performed in domestic cricket just before this series. We wanted him to bat the same way and not change his identity – whether opening or batting at No. 3,” he said.

With Tilak well on track to make a comeback ahead of the T20 World Cup, Ishan seems to have cemented his place as the first-choice opening partner for Abhishek. Samson, with his current form, might be seen warming the bench and carrying drinks throughout the tournament.