The India National Cricket Team left everyone split by their wicketkeeper-batter option after Ishan Kishan returned to the playing XI for the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Auckland. Ishan Kishan’s return as the wicketkeeper-batter has raised fresh questions about Sanju Samson's role and future in the T20I team.

The biggest talking point was not just Kishan's return but also the decision to hand him the wicketkeeping gloves. It clearly showed that the Indian team management still considers Ishan a front-line wicketkeeper when he is fully fit, leaving Samson with uncertainty. Earlier, Arshdeep Singh creates world record after completing 150 T20I wickets.

Ishan Kishan's return as wicketkeeper-batter creates fresh selection headache for India

Ishan Kishan returned to India XI after recovering from an adductor injury and immediately took over the wicketkeeping duties. Ishan missed the second and third T20Is against New Zealand because of the injury. India had to drop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to draft the left-hander into the playing XI.

However, Sanju Samson, who had been keeping wickets earlier in the ongoing five-match T20I series in New Zealand, retained his place in India’s playing XI, but he played as a specialist batter in Auckland. The change also forced India to make adjustments to their batting order.

Jacob Duffy's double strike ruins India's experiment in Auckland

Sooryavanshi was dropped despite his stunning innings in the third T20I; Samson returned to the top of the batting order, while Kishan was promoted to No. 3, where the Kerala star batted in the last game. But the Indian team management handed the gloves to Ishan instead of Samson.

However, the experiment backfired in Auckland. New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy struck twice in quick succession, sending both Samson (4) and Kishan (0) back to the pavilion early in the chase. India failed to chase down the record target of 260 runs as New Zealand won the fourth T20I by 87 runs. Amid this, Shreyas Iyer blames bowlers after India’s defeat against New Zealand.

Why Ishan Kishan's wicketkeeping role could put Sanju Samson under pressure

Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan's return as India's wicketkeeper has created fresh selection pressure on Sanju Samson in the T20I team. The team management has hinted that Ishan remains a preferred wicketkeeper option when fit by handing him the gloves immediately after his injury comeback.

This decision could make Samson's place in the playing XI more difficult. A specialist batter is easier to drop when the team wants to include an extra bowler or an all-rounder like Naman Dhir or Nitish Kumar Reddy. Another big problem for Samson is the growing competition for top-order spots.

Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi add to Sanju Samson's selection worries

Abhishek Sharma has already secured one opening position, while young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also emerged as a strong option. Kishan's presence at the top three leaves Samson fighting for another batting position. Samson is most effective when he gets a chance to bat in his preferred role.

So, moving Ishan around the batting lineup could affect his consistency. If Kishan continues as India's first-choice wicketkeeper, Samson may have to compete with several middle-order batters for a place in the playing XI. This means another poor run with the bat could put his position under serious threat.