Ravi Shastri backs Sanju Samson for T20I captaincy

Ravi Shashtri and Sanju Samson (File Pic)

According to former head coach Ravi Shastri, Sanju Samson will be a serious contender for captaincy of the national side in the shortest format in the next two to three years. Samson was the star of the T20 World Cup 2026, guiding India to a historic win.

Suryakumar Yadav led India to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup title at home two months ago, where the 31-year-old Samson was named Player of the Tournament. However, according to Shastri, India may look past Suryakumar Yadav for the next World Cup in 2028, when the current captain will be 37.

"India, come the next (T20) World Cup (in 2028), might be looking for a new captain, depending on how Surya goes over the next couple of years. But Sanju Samson has put himself there for a leadership role because he's done that in the past for Rajasthan (Royals)." Shastri was quoted as saying by 'The ICC Review'.

"And he's a certainty in the side, at the top of the order, extremely destructive. So I see him, this is just the start of something more, you'll see from Sanju over the next two or three years," added the former Indian star.

Samson had led Rajasthan Royals in the IPL for five seasons, including in 2022, when they finished runners-up.

Sanju Samson is in the form of his life

Sanju Samson is in the best form of his career in his international career. The 31-year-old scored three successive half-centuries during India's title-winning run at the T20 World Cup.

In international cricket, Samson has been incredible, with the 31-year-old scoring three successive half-centuries during India's victorious T20 World Cup campaign. The Indian star should be in the reckoning for the leadership role, according to Shastri.

"But my word this season, the way he's played after his performance in the T20 World Cup where single-handedly he almost won India games, the big games, the quarter-finals (West Indies, Super 8), semi-finals, the final, and the way he stepped up and the maturity he's showing now in the IPL, makes him a clear case as far as I'm concerned for leadership in the future," Shastri said.

Shastri also added that questions about Samson's inconsistent form have become a thing of the past.

"I think he (Samson) has put a lid on all those question marks. There was always an ability. People would, in fact, be disappointed because he wouldn't do justice to that ability," he said.

(With PTI Input)