Ravi Shastri feels Samson is a candidate for India T20I captaincy
Mumbai, May 15
Former Indian coach and all-rounder Ravi Shastri believes that Sanju Samson is a candidate for the national side's T20I captaincy, citing his experience in the Indian Premier League as former Rajasthan Royals captain and growing consistency, maturity with the bat.
Suryakumar Yadav led India to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup title at home two months ago, where Samson was named 'Player of the Tournament', scoring 321 runs in five innings, including three half-centuries scored in succession from the must-win Super Eight clash against West Indies to the title clash against New Zealand.
"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 as quoted by ICC.
"But Sanju Samson has put himself there for a leadership role because he's done that in the past for Rajasthan (Royals)," he added.
Shastri says that Samson's destructive batting makes him a certainty within the line-up.
"So I see him, this is just the start of something more you will see from Sanju over the next two or three years," he added
Samson had led Rajasthan Royals in the IPL for five seasons, including in 2022, when they finished runners-up.
In international cricket, Samson has been in the form of his life and has translated that form for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL during the ongoing edition, where he has scored 430 runs in 11 innings at an average of 53.75 and a strike rate of 169.29, with two centuries and a fifty. This year in T20s, Samson has made 797 runs in 21 innings at an average of 46.88 and a strike rate of 177.50, including two centuries and four fifties.
There have been questions about Samson's consistency in the past, but Shastri does not feel that it is an issue anymore, with his game this year showing a newfound maturity.
"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 has 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 has showing now in the IPL, makes him a clear case as far as I'm concerned for leadership in the future," he signed off.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Shastri is spot on about Sanju's consistency now. That T20 World Cup performance was spectacular, especially under pressure. But let's not forget Suryakumar Yadav led us to victory at home just two months ago. Captaincy change should be for 2028, not now. No need to rush things yaar! ♂️
I think Shastri's comment is premature. Samson has had one great year after years of inconsistency. Let him prove this form over a longer period. We've seen flashes before. Still, happy to see him doing well after all the criticism. Build for the future, but Surya is the man for now.
It's amazing to see Sanju finally fulfilling his potential. He carried Rajasthan Royals for years and now doing the same for India and CSK. Leadership comes naturally to him. But I'd rather give him vice-captaincy first, learn from Surya, then take over by 2028. Patient approach is best in cricket.
Shastri knows a thing or two about leadership. Sanju has that calm demeanor under pressure, which is rare in Indian cricket. But we need to be careful about changing captains too quickly. Let Surya lead for at least two more years, and if Sanju keeps this form, he's definitely the next in line. ♂️
The 2022 run with Rajasthan Royals showed his captaincy potential. His batting has evolved tremendously, and that T20 World Cup was the turning point. But let's be real: India has
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.