ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s: The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has now reached the Super 8 stage and Team India is no longer unbeaten. After losing the first Super 8 match against South Africa by a massive margin, ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting and Former coach Ravi Shastri have made some suggestions for the Indian squad before they take on Team Zimbabwe.
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ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s: Possible Team Lineup
Ponting remarked Team India should not focus on trying to get their matchups right but on playing their best playing eleven. The former Aussie captain was referring to the inclusion of Washington Sundar at the expense of Axar Patel. Ponting also suggested that India must play Kuldeep Yadav.
In contrast, Ravi Shashtri remarked that it does make sense to play an additional spinner as it would add to the angles and variety of attack. The former Indian coach suggested India should play both Washington Sundar and Axar Patel.
Ideal Playing XI
The ideal playing XI for Team India could be Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan as the openers followed by Tilak Varma and Captain Suryakumar Yadav. All-rounder Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel could follow.
The bowling department could be led by Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy. This playing XI offers deep batting depth to number 8, with four all-rounders in the team for flexibility. The attack could easily opponents below 140 in groups, adaptable to the Kolkata pitch.
Why This Beats Alternatives?
Dropping Sanju Samson for Kishan boosts opening fireworks. Abhishek Sharma may not be in the best form but he is still India’s best opening batsman after Ishan Kishan, far ahead of Sanju Samson. Moreover, Sanju has disappointed team India fans and the team with his inconsistent and disappointing performances time and again.
