Shreyas Iyer Backs Samson and Sharma as India’s T20I Openers, Says Sooryavanshi’s Time Will Come

India’s T20I squad embarks on a demanding tour of New Zealand, beginning with a five-match series on October 22, 2026, followed by five ODIs and two Tests through November. Shreyas Iyer leads the side with Tilak Varma as his deputy. Ahead of the series opener, the composition of India’s opening partnership has drawn attention following the emergence of teenage talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Speaking on the eve of the opener, Iyer confirmed that Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will continue as India’s opening batters in the T20I format. Although Sooryavanshi has featured in eight of the 21 T20Is India have played since his selection for the England and Ireland tour earlier in 2026, the regular openers have been performing consistently.

“It is important that a talent like Sooryavanshi remains happy and settled in the dressing room,” Iyer said, as quoted by Outlook.

“He is very young and has many years ahead to earn his opportunities. He cannot simply walk into the side right now because our openers are scoring consistently and helped India win the World Cup,” he added.

Samson and Sharma played a key role in India’s successful T20I World Cup defence earlier this year. At the Asian Games, Samson dropped down to number three to accommodate Sooryavanshi, allowing the youngster to open the innings. Iyer, however, believes the youngster’s exposure to overseas conditions will help him prepare better for future assignments.

Sooryavanshi made his T20I debut against England in July 2026, becoming the youngest Indian to play international cricket. He has since featured in eight T20Is, accumulating 246 runs at an average of 30.75 with two half-centuries. During the Zimbabwe series in late July 2026, he finished as the overall top scorer with two fifties, including a 50 from 19 balls in the opening match.

“If he comes overseas now, he will get a fair idea of how to play on these particular wickets. The next time he plays in these conditions, he will be very well prepared. He can also instruct other team members visiting for the first time,” said Iyer.

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