The pressure is on for India's crucial fourth T20I against England in Bristol, and fans might see Sanju Samson make a comeback in the playing XI. According to media sources, Samson, who was dropped in second and third games of the series could return to the squad. Notably, Samson was a standout performer during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, racking up 321 runs and hitting a tournament-high 24 sixes.
His incredible unbeaten 97 against the West Indies was key in securing India's spot in the semi-finals, and he followed that up with impressive knocks of 89 against England in the semi-final and another 89 in the final against New Zealand, leading India to victory. With a remarkable record of 1,023 runs from 36 innings at a strike rate of 171.64, his stats in the top three only bolster his case. His 89 off 42 against England showcased his talent for handling pressure against a tough bowling attack.
According to recent reports, Ishan Kishan's position is now being questioned after a rough patch with the bat and some mistakes behind the stumps. The left-handed batsman has struggled to find his rhythm on the UK tour, managing just 13 runs in Nottingham. A couple of dropped catches and a missed stumping in the last two games have raised eyebrows. Plus, India's heavy reliance on left-handed batsmen has allowed England's bowlers to exploit favorable match-ups.
Bristol Becomes Decider as India Trail by 0-2
India heads into the fourth T20I trailing 0-2, having seen the first match washed out and suffering defeats in Manchester and Nottingham. The disheartening collapse to just 76 runs in the third match highlighted some serious issues with handling pace and bounce. On top of that, the constant lineup changes have made it tough for captain Shreyas Iyer to find a stable team. India is still on the hunt for their first T20I win under Iyer's leadership, while England has been on a roll, winning 18 out of their last 21 completed matches in this format.
The fourth T20I is set to take place at the County Ground in Bristol on July 9, kicking off at 10 PM IST. Bristol has a reputation for hosting high-scoring games, although this season's totals have been a bit lower than what we usually expect. England can clinch the series with a win, while India desperately needs a victory to push the contest to a deciding fifth match in Southampton on Saturday.
