T20 World Cup 2026: 3 Playing 11 changes India must make to stay alive in the semi finals race

With only 4 matches played in the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage, the semi-final entry is already getting interesting. After India's huge defeat against South Africa, Team India's hopes of reaching the semi-finals were dashed. In addition, West Indies added salt to the wound by winning the match against Zimbabwe by more than 100 runs. India is significantly behind in the semi-final competition in Group 1 of the Super 8. If Team India wants to get back into the race, they will have to register big wins against Zimbabwe and West Indies.

A change in the batting order is needed

India will have to work hard on their batting after a miserable performance against South Africa. In this situation, former cricketer Irfan Pathan has suggested a change in the batting order of Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir.

India need a change at No. 3 and No. 4. Tilak Verma, who is returning from injury, is not in his best form. His position at No. 3 has forced three left-handers to play consecutively at No. 3 as the duo of Ishan Kishan & Abhishek Sharma are the opening batters. In this situation, Pathan has suggested that skipper  Suryakumar Yadav should bat at the number three position again.

Suryakumar should play at number 3

Tilak Verma will have to sacrifice his position for the No. 3 spot. Tilak had asked captain Suryakumar Yadav to bat at No. 3 during the South Africa tour and scored two consecutive centuries during that tour. Tilak has performed well at No. 3, but his batting has not been good in the T20 World Cup. Perhaps Sury should bat at No. 3. This will prevent the bowling team from easily strategizing, he said.

Suryakumar Yadav's statistics at the number three spot

Suryakumar has scored 864 runs in 32 matches, batting at number 3 for India in T20Is. He has slammed 1 century and fifties during this period.

T20 World Cup 2026 - How South Africa and West Indies Can End India’s semi finals hopes