Sanju Samson next India T20I captain? Ravi Shastri gives his seal of approval for CSK star |

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Former India coach Ravi Shastri feels that Sanju Samson is a serious contender for being the next T20I captain for the national team after his impressive performances this year. Samson was the Player Of The Tournament as India retained their crown at home. In the final three matches, Samson hit match-winning knocks, ending the competition with 321 runs from just five matches.

There has been speculation around Suryakumar Yadav’s position in the team as he has struggled for form with the bat in recent times. Shreyas Iyer has been a name rumoured to be in the running but Shastri has given his seal of approval to wicketkeeper-batter.

Speaking to ICC, the former Indian coach said that Samson is a certainty in the T20I side for the next few years. Shastri also pointed out to Samson having experience leading Rajasthan Royals in the past.

“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,” Shastri said, speaking to Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review.

“But Sanju Samson has put himself there for a leadership role because he’s done that in the past for Rajasthan (Royals).

“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.”

‘NO LONGER QUESTIONS ON ABILITY’

Samson has carried his form into the IPL, where he has scored 430 runs from 11 matches for CSK, including two hundreds. Shastri said that Samson has answered his critics and there are longer questions about his ability.

“I think he (Samson) has put a lid on all those question marks. There was always ability. People would, in fact, be disappointed because he wouldn’t do justice to that ability,” Shastri noted.

“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.”

Samson will be next in action for CSK as they face LSG on May 15.

– Ends

Published On:

May 15, 2026 11:40 IST

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