- By Gurmeet Batra
- Sun, 15 Mar 2026 03:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has attributed the team's decision to reinstate wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson into the playing XI during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 to a conscious shift towards a belligerent approach, which can turn the tide of a match within the powerplay.
The head coach stressed that the team aimed to maintain its top order with added firepower, aligning with the aggressive strategy adopted over the past 18 months.
"I know a lot of people will talk about how we wanted to break the three left-handers at the top, but not at all. We just felt that we wanted to be more explosive because the ideology in the last one and a half years has been to go out there and be as explosive as we can be,” Gambhir told JioStar.
“The reason to bring in Sanju was not about managing the off-spinner from the other end. I believe that a quality batter will be good against any kind of bowler, whether it's an off-spinner or a left-arm spinner. It was about whether we could get even more firepower at the top and be more aggressive in the first six overs," he added.
Gambhir applauded Samson's ability to change the game's course with his batting, stating that the right-hander's inclusion brings an injected dimension to India's hard-hitting batting lineup.
"We know what Sanju can do, there was never any doubt about his talent and explosiveness. If he gets going, he can win you the game in the first six overs. Imagine having Abhishek, Sanju and Ishan as your top three, and then you have the likes of Surya, Hardik, Tilak, Shivam and Axar to follow. So, you can't ask for anything more," he said.
Gambhir also voiced his support for struggling opener Abhishek Sharma, urging the youngster to maintain his fearless approach.
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"I've had a worse experience than him in 2014 during the IPL, when I got three ducks in a row and then another in the fourth game as well. All I told him was that people will look at your scores and will talk about your form, but actually you are not out of form, you are just out of runs," Gambhir opined.