For almost a decade after his India debut, Sanju Samson wasn’t even a starter. In fact, before his incredible T20 World Cup 2026, he was dropped. Now, after an insane rise over the last couple of months, he has now pushed himself into India’s future leadership conversation. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes the wicketkeeper-batter has done enough to establish himself as a serious candidate for the national T20I captaincy, replacing Suryakumar Yadav.
The former India coach said Samson has put himself there for a leadership role after his iconic performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and IPL 2026 with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Samson’s career has flipped upside down in recent times. Even he divulged that he knew that Ishan Kishan was breathing down his neck, but now Samson is in the captaincy picture.
Sanju Samson’s rise is heartening to watch
Samson’s story over the last 12 months has been bizarre even by Indian cricket standards. He started the T20 World Cup 2026 on the bench. India preferred Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan at the top. Samson looked like someone drifting out of the setup again and act only as a backup keeper. However, the fate decided that Samson will get his chances. India’s all left-handed top-three, failed in the Super 8s before the West Indies game came.
India were under pressure in a virtual knockout. Samson walked in and smashed an unbeaten 97 that changed the tournament for India. After that came 89 against England in the semifinal and another 89 in the final against New Zealand. By the end of the tournament, he was India’s highest run-scorer and the Player of the Tournament.
CategoryInnsRunsHSAveSR100s/50s6sOverall323880211931.10139.628/55417In 202621797115*46.88177.52/449Sanju Samson T20 statsSanju Samson in T20 World Cup 2026
InnsRunsHighestAverageStrike Rate50s532197*80.25199.383The form has continued in IPL 2026 as well. Samson has become Chennai Super Kings’ best batter this season and one of the most consistent T20 players in the world right now.
Sanju Samson in IPL 2026
MatchesRunsAverageStrike Rate100s50s1143053.75169.2921Unlike earlier years, Samson is no longer throwing away starts every second innings. That inconsistency tag is going away from his game by game. And that matters because India are not just looking for a captain. The BCCI is looking for someone around whom the next T20 cycle can be built.
Suryakumar Yadav all but out?
The problem for Suryakumar was never leadership. India actually did very well under him. They defended the T20 World Cup title, stayed aggressive under Gautam Gambhir, and looked tactically sharp. But India increasingly began carrying SKY the batter. You never want to hear this about any captain. His numbers since becoming captain have dropped massively.
Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I numbers
PeriodInningsRunsHighestScoreAverageStrikeRate100s/50sUntil June 202465234011743.33167.744/19Since July 2024(took over as captain)4293284*25.88152.030/6Since 20253370284*26.00147.160/4In T20 World Cup 2026924284*30.25136.720/1Even in IPL 2026, Suryakumar has looked scratchy.
MRunsAvSR1119517.73144.44There are also injury concerns. Reports have claimed that Suryakumar has been managing a wrist issue since IPL 2025 and regularly tapes it before batting. During the T20 World Cup too, he was often seen receiving treatment before entering net sessions.
That is why Samson’s consistency, captaincy experience with Rajasthan Royals, and secure place in India’s XI suddenly make him a very realistic option.
What did Shastri say about Samson?
Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri openly admitted Samson’s name deserves to be in the mix. He already has experience of captaining in the IPL with the Rajasthan Royals (RR), addin to Samson’s advantage.
“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. “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.”
Shastri also said Samson has finally answered questions around consistency.
“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. 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, 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.”
Ravi Shastri names Sanju Samson as contender to replace Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain Inside Sport India.
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