IND vs SA T20 WC Warm Up: Samson under spotlight in World Cup warm-up

Sanju Samson is back where he has been far too often in Indian cricket. On the brink. Waiting. Needing a performance.

His returns against New Zealand were difficult to ignore. Forty-six runs in five matches, three single-digit scores, and no defining moment to cling to. For an opener who played every game, it was a statistical low point, and perhaps an emotional one too.

What complicates matters is timing. Just as Samson struggled, Ishan Kishan exploded. A late entrant into the squad, Kishan forced his way into the conversation with volume, intent and authority. Suddenly, Samson is not fighting for trust but for survival.

The issue has never been ability. It has been instability. Shuffled between roles, dropped quickly, recalled urgently, Samson has rarely been allowed to settle. Rhythm, once lost, is hard to reclaim.

The warm-up against South Africa could be decisive. A strong innings may buy time and belief. Another failure could close the door, perhaps for good in this tournament.

Ishan Kishan did not quietly enter India’s T20 World Cup squad. He burst through the door.

His numbers against New Zealand were extraordinary. Two hundred and fifteen runs, a strike rate north of 230, and a series-ending hundred that felt less like a knock and more like a statement. Kishan did not ask for a place. He demanded it.

What makes his surge more compelling is the context. He arrived late, with little runway, and immediately altered the selection landscape. In a format where intent is currency, Kishan provided clarity.

His success has also sharpened the focus on others. Most notably, Sanju Samson. Where Samson hesitated, Kishan accelerated. Where doubt crept in, confidence followed.

India now face a choice between continuity and momentum. Kishan’s form represents the latter, and in T20 cricket, momentum often wins.

Whether Kishan starts or not, the pressure he has applied will linger. Selection debates may continue, but one thing is clear. The competition has intensified, and India’s batting order will not look the same again.

Much of the attention has been on the opening slot, but India’s middle order may quietly hold the key to their campaign. And Tilak Varma’s return could be crucial.

After undergoing surgery for testicular torsion, Tilak missed the New Zealand series. There were questions about readiness, timing and rhythm. Those concerns eased slightly when he struck a brisk 38 off 24 balls in a warm-up game against the USA.

Tilak offers something India value deeply in T20 cricket. Calm under pressure. Flexibility in role. And the ability to absorb chaos in the middle overs.

His performance in last year’s Asia Cup final remains a reference point. With the game drifting, he anchored the innings and allowed others to play freely. That temperament is rare.

Wednesday’s warm-up against South Africa will be less about numbers and more about movement, intent and confidence. If Tilak looks comfortable, India’s middle order suddenly feels far more secure.

India’s T20 plans rely heavily on balance, and Washington Sundar sits right at the centre of it.

The spin-bowling all-rounder was ruled out of the New Zealand series with a rib injury and has not yet returned to full match fitness. Unlike Tilak Varma, he has not had the chance to ease back through competitive overs.

Sundar offers India control in the powerplay, depth with the bat and flexibility in match-ups. Losing him would force India to rethink their combination.

The management has not spoken about replacements yet, but names are circling. Ayush Badoni remains in the frame, Ravi Bishnoi’s recent form has strengthened his case, and Riyan Parag offers a like-for-like option if batting depth becomes a priority.

The warm-up window is short. If Sundar cannot recover in time, decisions will need to be swift and decisive. India would prefer clarity before the tournament begins, not during it.

While India are fine-tuning combinations, South Africa view the warm-up through a different lens. For them, it is a measuring stick.

The Proteas arrive with renewed confidence after winning a home T20I series against the West Indies 2–1. The returns of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada have strengthened both their attack and belief.

Facing India offers context. It allows South Africa to assess where they stand against the defending champions, especially after losing a five-match series in India not long ago.

They are expected to field a near full-strength side, not for results, but for rhythm and clarity. Against India’s batting depth, bowlers will be tested. Against India’s pace, batters will be challenged.

Warm-up or not, South Africa will not take this lightly.

India’s T20 World Cup defence officially begins against the USA on February 7. Unofficially, it begins now. The warm-up against South Africa is the final checkpoint. The last chance to test combinations, ease nerves and confirm instincts. It is where form meets faith. For Sanju Samson, it may decide his role. For Ishan Kishan, it may confirm his rise. For Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar, it is about readiness and trust.

India are not searching for confidence. They already have it. What they need is clarity. By the time the teams walk off in Navi Mumbai, the noise may not disappear. But the direction should. And in a tournament as unforgiving as a T20 World Cup, that direction matters more than anything else.