In a do-or-die T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 battle, India takes on Zimbabwe at Chennai’s iconic Chepauk under the lights starting 7 PM Thursday. The 76-run debacle against South Africa has cranked up the urgency—a thumping win is essential to rekindle semifinal chances.
The batting order needs an overhaul after flops from Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Rinku Singh, who bombed again last time. Sanju Samson, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is primed for selection, offering flexibility to open or anchor the middle.
World Cup minutes for Samson have been scant—one explosive 22-off-8 against Namibia. Facing Zimbabwe stirs memories of his 2015 T20I debut against them. After 11 years chasing stability, this could be his defining moment.
Boasting 1,100 T20I runs with three hundreds and three fifties in 50 innings over 58 matches, Samson’s toolkit is elite. As Team India stares down a tough road, he has the chance to not only claim his spot but emerge as the savior, paving the way to semifinal glory with a signature knock.