Sanju Samson Tipped To Lead India After Suryakumar Yadav; RR And India Success Cited

Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav [Source: @BCCI/x]

Sanju Samson has been tipped to lead India’s T20I team in the future, in case Suryakumar Yadav decides to step down from the role. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif backed Samson to take over India captaincy owing to his IPL success for the Rajasthan Royals franchise.

It is worth noting that Samson played a significant role in India’s historic 2026 T20 World Cup win earlier this month. The blistering wicketkeeper-batter plundered three successive half-centuries during the business end of the tournament, which included a sublime 46-ball 89 in the final against New Zealand at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

Kaif says Sanju Samson ‘understands’ captaincy traits

While speaking with sports anchor Ravish Bisht, former cricketer Mohammad Kaif stated that Sanju Samson is an ideal replacement for Suryakumar Yadav to become India’s next T20I captain. The cricket expert stated that Samson has already seen the ups and downs of the game, and has the basic understanding of pitching in perfect XIs and backing out-of-form players.

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He said, “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.”

However, Mohammad Kaif added that there is no reason for Suryakumar Yadav to step down from national T20I captaincy if he is playing well.

Since Suryakumar is currently aged 35, the senior batter will turn 37 by the time of the 2028 Olympics and the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Sanju Samson, on the other hand, is aged 31 at the moment.

Kaif cited Samson’s success with the Rajasthan Royals franchise, acknowledging the fact that he guided them to the final of the IPL 2022 season.

Kaif said, “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.”

Sanju Samson’s captaincy record in IPL

Sanju Samson certainly holds the credentials for becoming a captaincy candidate for Team India in T20I cricket. He has led the Rajasthan Royals franchise in 67 matches between the 2021 and 2025 editions of the IPL.

Under his leadership, the Royals reached the final of the IPL 2022 season, losing to Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

Overall, in his 67 matches as captain, Samson has led the Rajasthan Royals to 33 wins and 33 defeats, and one no result. As of now, the cricketer is gearing up to join the CSK franchise for the upcoming IPL 2026 season.

Sanju Samson clinches POTM as India win T20 World Cup 2026

Sanju Samson plundered a majestic 46-ball 89 against New Zealand in the final of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. His innings helped India mount 255-5 in 20 overs, before Jasprit Bumrah and co. scripted a historic 96-run win for the ‘Men in Blue’ to break the Ahmedabad curse.

The attacking opener also smeared match-winning half-centuries in the virtual quarterfinal against the West Indies, and in the semifinal against England in Kolkata and Mumbai respectively. Overall, the cricketer listed 321 runs in just five innings at an average of 80.25 to bag the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award.

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