India won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad last Sunday. The Men in Blue became the first team to win the trophy consecutively and also the first country to win the title on home soil. Sanju Samson was awarded the Player of the Tournament award for his sensational performance for the team.
Sanju Samson had a start-stop tournament, he played one match in the group stage and performed well scoring 22 runs off 8 balls. Later, after India’s loss to South Africa, he was brought back into the team, and since then, Sanju never looked back, scoring 321 runs in just five innings, which included three consecutive half-centuries, two of which came in the semi-final and the final.
Sanju Samson is in the form of his life
Sanju Samson’s redemption story has been one of the talk of the town after the conclusion of the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav joins the list of MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma who won the T20 World Cup; SKY is already 35 and won’t be able to continue for long.
Although Suryakumar Yadav has expressed his desire to play the 2028 T20 World Cup and has also declared his next goal of winning an Olympic gold medal for India, Surya will turn 37 in 2028 and with the amount of talent India has, he might not be able to continue in the shorter formats of the game.
I think, Samson can definitely be a candidate- Mohammad Kaif
Now the discussion is on who will be the next captain of India in T20 format? Although Shubman Gill was given preference, considering his playing style he has failed to make a place in the shortest format. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that Sanju Samson should be made the next captain of India.
Mohammad Kaif told Ravish Bisht in a video, “It is difficult to say right now who will be the next captain, but Samson could be one. I mean, why not? A captain should be someone who has seen the world. Implementing changes in bowling, playing the right XI and supporting out-of-form players, as happened with Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy.”
Here is the video
sanju samson @IamSanjuSamson Can lead India in the next T20 World Cup @mohammadkaif #worldcup pic.twitter.com/f37131rUQR
– Ravish Bisht (@ravishbofficial) 10 March 2026
“A captain would know that these things happen. He has gone through it himself. He understands these little things. So, I think Samson can definitely be a candidate. However, if Surya keeps playing well, he can remain in this position for a long time. If you are fit, you can play till 38-39. No problem.”
He has captained a lot in IPL – Mohammad Kaif
Kaif believes that Sanju Samson also has the experience to captain the team. Sanju led Rajasthan Royals for many years and even led the team to the final during the 2022 season of the competition. The former batsman believes that, since Sanju Samson is in his peak form and is performing brilliantly, he should be made the next captain.
Kaif further added, “And in the shorter formats, you need more experience. Someone who has captained is always valuable. If Surya decides to step down, Sanju can fill that spot. He has captained a lot in the IPL and has taken Rajasthan Royals to the final (2022). He is only 31. Can be the next Indian captain.”
However, Team India management and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have not taken any decision regarding changing the T20 captain. But Axar Patel will also be considered, keeping in mind that he has been excellent with his all-round abilities and is also the vice-captain of the team.
Also read: Not India! Kevin Pietersen’s former teammate claims, South Africa was the best team in T20 WC 2026
