Who does Ravi Shastri back as India’s T20I captaincy successor to Suryakumar Yadav?

Renowned commentator Ravi Shastri has weighed in on India's T20I leadership debate, pointing to a potential successor to Suryakumar Yadav. Shastri's remarks add fresh intrigue to the captaincy conversation as India gear up for the next ICC Men's T20 World Cup cycle (2026-28).

Suryakumar Yadav was impressive as a leader, helping India defend their T20 crown at home for the very first time. He led from the front by amassing 242 runs in nine games, averaging 30.25 and a strike rate of 136.72, including a crucial 84* which came in India's campaign opener against the USA at the Wankhede when they were staring down the barrel.

Shastri said that India may choose to look towards a new captain depending on how Suryakumar fares as a leader in the next few assignments.

“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.”

Samson didn't start the tournament as India preferred Ishan Kishan over him to partner Abhishek Sharma at the top. However, when the opportunity presented itself, Samson was quick to grab it with both hands. 

Despite playing just five games, Samson finished as the third-leading run-getter in the showpiece event. He aggregated 321 runs, averaging 80.25 at a strike rate of 199.37, including three fifties.

Samson also has leadership experience. The wicketkeeper batter led Rajasthan Royals (RR) across 67 games, winning 33 and losing 32 of them, with a win percentage of 49.25.

“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 added.

“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.”