Ravi Shastri Backs Sanju Samson for India T20 Captaincy

• By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
• May 15, 2026
• 298

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has backed Sanju Samson as a future captain of India’s T20 team. Shastri believes Samson has now emerged as a serious contender for the leadership role because of the maturity and consistency he has shown in recent years.

Speaking during the ICC Review, Shastri said that although Suryakumar Yadav recently guided India to the T20 World Cup title, Samson could become a strong captaincy option ahead of the 2028 T20 World Cup.

At present, Suryakumar Yadav is leading India’s T20 side. Under his captaincy, India won the T20 World Cup on March 8, 2026, in Ahmedabad.

Strong Captaincy Experience in IPL

Sanju Samson has been captaining Rajasthan Royals for the last five IPL seasons. He guided the franchise to the IPL final in 2022 and earned praise for his calm leadership style.

Outstanding T20 World Cup Campaign

Samson played a crucial role in India’s successful T20 World Cup 2026 campaign and was named Player of the Tournament. He delivered match-winning performances in the quarter-final, semi-final and final.

The 31-year-old batter scored 321 runs in five matches during the tournament, including three consecutive half-centuries.

Shastri Praises Samson’s Consistency

Shastri said Samson’s talent was never questioned, but his recent consistency has silenced critics.

According to Shastri, Samson has now cemented his place in India’s top order with his improved temperament and ability to perform under pressure.

He added that the maturity Samson has shown both in the IPL and international cricket makes him a clear captaincy candidate for the future.

Impressive IPL 2026 Season

In the ongoing IPL season, Samson has been in excellent form for Chennai Super Kings. He has scored 430 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 169.29, including two centuries.

Samson is currently Chennai’s highest run-scorer this season and stands 11th in the Orange Cap standings.