R. Ashwin, ex-India spinner, has shared his thoughts on the India playing XI for the upcoming fourth T20I against England on July 9, 2026, in Bristol. The legendary off-spinner has backed the Indian team management to avoid the lure of including Sanju Samson in the XI and go with the same combination for the game.

After the first T20I was rained out, England won the next two, including a crushing victory at Trent Bridge, where India were bowled out for just 76, their worst run loss in T20I history.

Samson's exclusion from the India XI has been one of the main talking points, and pressure has increased on skipper Shreyas Iyer and head coach Gautam Gambhir as another defeat in Bristol is expected to give England the series.

Despite the batting unit's poor performance, Ashwin advised India to resist the urge to change the lineup.

"In my opinion, the same team should play in the fourth T20I too. It will be a strong decision. If we field the same team, then that is something that I will really, really look forward to watching. That will mean Sanju will miss out again, but that will be one hell of a decision,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Samson made way for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in India XI after three poor outings against Ireland and England. Many former players and supporters have demanded Samson's comeback after India's batting disaster in Nottingham.

Ashwin, however, thinks that the team may become insecure if the starting lineup is frequently changed.

"I think in this situation, I really hope the rest of the players do not feel insecure. We should not put others in a similar situation to Samson. The team should get stability. I hope they will return to form, but I really doubt it. Like I said during the Ireland series, I really doubted a stunning comeback. I really doubt a comeback here in England, too. There are still a couple more games. I think there will be some fun to watch," he added.

Ashwin also admitted that he expected England to dominate the series given India’s inexperienced batting unit and change in conditions from the IPL.

"I didn't expect such a result at the start of the Ireland series. But after the first T20I, I felt Ireland could win the series. Against England, I felt from the beginning that they would win. Everyone knows India's batting unit is young. IPL conditions are different. If there is something on the wicket and the conditions are different, India's batting line-up will struggle,” Ashwin said.

Despite his concerns, the veteran spinner urged patience with the young side rather than wholesale changes.

"This batting unit will get better with experience. Stability is important," Ashwin said.

India must win the 4th T20I in Bristol to keep the series alive against England, who lead the series 2-0.