Former India Star Backs Sanju Samson to Replace Suryakumar Yadav as T20I Captain

Sanju Samson emerged as a potential successor to Suryakumar Yadav as India’s T20I captain after his standout performances in the T20 World Cup 2026.

Sanju Samson has emerged as a possible future captain for India’s T20I team after the T20 World Cup 2026 success. The 31-year-old opener impressed throughout the tournament with 3 consecutive half-centuries. His performances played a major role in India winning the title.

Suryakumar Yadav became India’s fourth World Cup-winning captain. However, Suryakumar is now 35. The next T20 World Cup will take place in 2028 in Australia. By then, he will be 37.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes Samson can be a strong leadership option. He highlighted Samson’s experience in captaincy. The wicketkeeper-batter led Rajasthan Royals to the IPL final in 2022. Kaif said Samson’s experience and form make him a serious candidate for India’s future captaincy plans.

“Tough to say right now as to who would become the next captain, but Samson could well be the one. I mean, why not? A Captain must be someone who has seen the world. Implementing bowling changes, playing the perfect XI, and backing players out of form, as with Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakaravarthy. A captain would know that these things happen. They themselves have gone through this. They understand these little things,” Kaif told Ravish Bisht in a video.

READ ALSO | Steve Harmison Says India Weren’t Best Team at T20 World Cup 2026

“So, I feel, Samson sure can be a candidate. However, if Surya keeps playing well they he can hold on to the position longer. If you’re fit, you can play till 38-39. There’s no problem. And in the shorter format, you need more experience. Someone who has captained remains forever valuable. If Surya decides to step down, Sanju can fill that position. He has captained a lot in the IPL and took the Rajasthan Royals to the final (2022). He is only 31. Might be the next Indian captain,” he added.

In the tournament, Sanju Samson scored 299 runs from 5 matches and won the Player of the Tournament award. Selectors could begin grooming him for major events in 2028, including the next T20 World Cup and the Olympics. Samson will soon join the Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2026 and could further boost his credentials.