India’s Predicted XI vs SA for 5th T20I: Will Sanju Samson open in Ahmedabad?

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Samson back in frame

Sanju Samson could finally return to the playing XI in the 5th T20I against South Africa in Ahmedabad.

Gill injury opens door

With Shubman Gill unlikely to be fully fit after a foot injury, India may need a new opening option for the series finale.

Missed chance in Lucknow

Samson was expected to open in the Lucknow T20I, but dense fog led to the match being abandoned without a ball bowled.

Opening role suits Samson

Samson has enjoyed his best T20 success as an opener and is likely to partner Abhishek Sharma if Gill misses out.

Series situation

India are leading the T20I series, which gives the team management some flexibility to test combinations in Ahmedabad.

Predicted India XI

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana.

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