"Wonder whether the vice-captain will change" - Ex-Indian cricketer raises big question ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 squad announcement

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has raised a key question as Indian selectors prepare to announce the squad for T20 World Cup 2026. With Sanju Samson showcasing his potential as an opener in the fifth T20I against South Africa, Pathan wondered if India's vice-captain will be changed for the World Cup.

With regular vice-captain Shubman Gill ruled out of the fifth T20I due to a foot injury, Samson opened the innings and made a quick-fire 37. Gill has lately been under scrutiny due to his poor returns with the bat. The youngster will be under a lot more pressure due to Samson's impressive knock in Ahmedabad.

Speaking in a recent video on his YouTube channel 'Irfan Pathan,' the former player said that the opening pair of Samson and Abhishek Sharma will provide no respite to the opposition. Referring to Samson as a special player, he said:

"When Sanju Samson plays with Abhishek Sharma, the bowlers will seek respite from both ends. Both batters are capable of playing at higher strike rates. If both play aggressively, there is little chance of respite. Abhishek starts playing his shot from the outset. When Sanju came, he was nervous and was beaten a few times but played shots straight and over cover. Samson also played merely a flick over long on for a six. He is a special player. My eyes are also on the T20 World Cup selection. I wonder whether the vice-captain will change with this innings or it will remain the same. If they stick to Samson, then someone like Jitesh Sharma will field and fielding needs to be looked at then."

The 41-year-old asserted that Samson has justified the opportunity handed to him, especially as he has played different roles in recent times. Pathan also revealed the wicketkeeper-batter's cheeky response to a question during an interview.

"Samson has done his job," Pathan said. "He has got an opportunity to open after a year and received a chance to play after seven games. He was playing in the middle overs before that but now opened the innings. It’s not easy from a mindset perspective. We had done an interview with Samson on Star Sports. He said my bonding with Jitesh Sharma is quite good despite competing for that one spot. I had asked what was the communication while you were benched. He said the communication was regular and the relationship with captain and coach is good. I had asked him whether the communication with him was whether he will open the innings moving forward. Samson had cheekily answered by telling me, ‘Irfan bhai, please don’t ask such questions.'"

Samson has opened for India in 17 T20I innings, scoring 522 runs at 32.63 at a strike rate of 178.77. All of his three centuries in the format have also come while batting at the top.

"It will be a big factor if India are to win the T20 World Cup" - Irfan Pathan on opening combination

In the same video, Pathan suggested that the Men in Blue must carefully think if bringing back Shubman Gill as an opener will be productive. He said:

"If Shubman Gill hadn’t been injured, Samson wouldn’t have got an opportunity. But what if Gill is fit and is vice-captain, will Samson again be benched? My eyes will be on that. It’s important that the runs come whenever anyone bats with Abhishek Sharma. It will be a big factor if India are to win the T20 World Cup. Who will play the finisher role along with Hardik Pandya will be another factor. Arshdeep Singh’s role will equally be a factor if the wicket is flat. But Samson has done his job whenever the opportunities have come."

Team India have five more T20Is before the World Cup in February.