India Choose to Bat First, Ishan Kishan Opens vs South Africa Warm-Up

India began their T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up campaign against South Africa on Tuesday night with a notable change at the top of the batting order, as captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bat first at the DY Patil Stadium. The decision was taken with an eye on testing India’s bowling resources later in the evening, amid the possibility of dew setting in during the second half of the match.

In a significant selection call, India replaced Sanju Samson in the opening slot, handing Ishan Kishan the opportunity to open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma. The move marks Kishan’s return to a prominent role at the top of the order, following his strong performances since making a comeback to international cricket. The team management appears keen to assess opening combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.

Speaking at the toss, Suryakumar said India wanted to challenge themselves in match conditions similar to what they may face during the tournament. He added that continuing the positive approach developed over the last year and a half remains a key focus, while also acknowledging the responsibility and pressure that comes with playing in front of home crowds.

Also Read: Suryakumar's India Face South Africa in Crucial T20 WC 2026 Warm-Up Clash

India enters the warm-up fixture with strong momentum, having recently registered a commanding 4–1 series victory over New Zealand in a five-match T20I series. Prior to that, the hosts had also defeated South Africa 3–1, further boosting confidence within the squad. While the batting unit has shown consistency, India’s pace attack conceding runs in recent matches remains an area of concern.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram said his side was happy to bowl first, viewing the match as an important opportunity to adapt to Indian conditions. With both teams using the warm-up game to fine-tune combinations and strategies, the contest is expected to offer valuable insights ahead of the T20 World Cup, even as the focus remains on preparation rather than the result.

Also Read: INDvsNZ 4th T20i: Suryakumar Yadav Reveals Reason for Dropping Ishan Kishan