Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Feb 26: Defending champions India national cricket team are set to reassess their opening combination ahead of a crucial Super Eights clash against Zimbabwe national cricket team on Thursday, with semi-final qualification at stake.

Following a heavy 76-run defeat to South Africa national cricket team, India find themselves in a must-win situation. The path to the knockouts is clear — victories in their remaining two matches will keep qualification in their own hands, while another slip-up could leave them dependent on other results.

The spotlight has fallen on the struggling opening partnership, particularly Abhishek Sharma, who has endured a difficult run with three successive ducks. The repeated early setbacks have put pressure on the team’s left-heavy top order.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has emerged as a strong contender to open the innings, offering a right-handed option that could bring balance and counter the off-spin strategy employed by opponents.

Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed that team combinations are under discussion.

“There can be changes, yes. Obviously we discuss these things because there are two leftie openers and number three is also left-handed,” Kotak said, while maintaining that the management does not see the top-order composition as a fundamental flaw.

Rival teams such as Pakistan national cricket team, Netherlands national cricket team, and South Africa have targeted India’s left-handers by opening the bowling with off-spin. In the previous match, Ishan Kishan was dismissed for a fourth-ball duck after skipper Aiden Markram introduced spin in the opening over.

Samson, who earlier featured against Namibia national cricket team when Abhishek was unavailable, could now be entrusted with a bigger role as India look to steady their innings from the outset.

With knockout hopes hanging in the balance, the team management faces a decisive call ahead of the high-pressure encounter in Chennai.