‘India has way too many left-handers’ – Mohammad Kaif bats for Sanju Samson’s inclusion in India vs South Africa Super 8 clash

With India set to take on South Africa in a pivotal Super 8 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, former India batter Mohammad Kaif has weighed in on India’s batting composition, suggesting that a left-hander-heavy top order could leave India vulnerable, and that adding Sanju Samson might help.

India’s current top-order for the tournament has featured several left-handers, which Kaif believes allows opposition teams to make better tactical plans, particularly by pitting quality off-spinners against them.

Taking to social media, Kaif highlighted the potential imbalance in the batting setup and underlined why having a right-handed option such as Samson could strengthen India’s approach. 

“India has way too many left-handers in top order. This makes it easy for opponents to make tactical plans and pick off-spinners as ideal match-ups. Adding Sanju Samson to the mix could help,” Kaif wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

South Africa’s bowling attack boasts variety, including pacers like Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen, and spin options such as Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram, which makes India’s lineup decisions especially significant. With Abhishek Sharma failing against off-spinners in the last two encounters, it is too obvious that the Proteas will be looking to use the services of their captain  Markram’s bowling services. He is a potent off-spin option and will definitely challenge left handers. 

India should include Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI: Sanjay Manjrekar

Amid all the conversations revolving around the Men in Blue’s batting order, ace commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has come up with a unique suggestion.

He took to social media to give his thoughts on India’s ideal playing XI against South Africa. He believes that Kuldeep Yadav should play against Proteas, without mentioning who sits out to accommodate the spinner.

“When one is concerned about batting, it’s addressed by having batting depth. Why does no one think of making bowling stronger? Kuldeep today anyone?,” he wrote.

Kuldeep has featured in one match so far in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, against Pakistan. Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy are India’s two frontline spinners currently, ahead of Yadav.