Ravi Shastri Sees Sanju Samson as Indias Next T20 Captain

May 15, 2026

New Delhi, May 15: Former Indian cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Sanju Samson is a strong contender to become the next T20 captain of Team India, following Suryakumar Yadav. Shastri highlighted Samson’s extensive experience as the captain of the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.

Samson’s performance during the T20 World Cup 2026 was exceptional, where he played crucial innings in both the semi-final and final matches. For his remarkable contributions, he was named ‘Player of the Tournament.’ Shastri feels this could mark the beginning of a leadership role for Samson.

During the ICC review show, Shastri stated, “India may need a new captain for the next T20 World Cup in 2028, depending on how Suryakumar performs in the coming years. However, Sanju Samson has prepared himself for a leadership role, having captained the Rajasthan Royals. He will play in the top order and is a dangerous batsman. I believe this is just the beginning; you will see Sanju perform even better in the next two or three years.”

Samson has captained the Rajasthan Royals for five seasons, leading the team to the finals in 2022. His experience as a captain and ability to handle pressure strengthens his credentials for a leadership role in the national team.

At 31, Samson is in excellent form in international cricket. He scored three consecutive half-centuries during India’s victorious T20 World Cup campaign. While there have been past doubts about his consistent performance, Shastri believes that Samson has silenced his critics with his recent displays.

Shastri added, “I think Samson has answered all those questions. He has always had the talent. People were disappointed because he wasn’t living up to that potential. However, this season, I can confidently say that the way he has played after the T20 World Cup—where he single-handedly won several crucial matches for India, including the quarter-final, semi-final, and final—shows his maturity. Given his current form in the IPL, he stands out as the top candidate for a future leadership role.”