Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has singled out in-form batter Sanju Samson as a strong candidate for Indias T20I captaincy in the coming years, saying that the wicketkeeper-batters lsquo;maturity makes him a clear candidate for the role.

Samsons recent performances, both in the IPL and at the international level, have elevated his profile as not only a reliable batter but also a potential leader. India recently celebrated their ICC Mens T20 World Cup triumph on home soil under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav.

Samson played a pivotal role in the tournament, earning the Player of the Tournament award for his consistent match-winning contributions. Shastri believes this could be the start of Samson carving out a leadership role for himself.

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. But Sanju Samson has put himself there for a leadership role because he#39;s done that in the past for Rajasthan (Royals). And he#39;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#39;ll see from Sanju over the next two or three years,rdquo; Shastri said on The ICC Review.

Samson has previously led the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL for five seasons, including in 2022 when the franchise finished as runners-up. His experience as a captain in the IPL, coupled with his ability to handle high-pressure situations, adds to his credentials for future leadership roles with the national team.

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. But Sanju Samson has put himself there for a leadership role because he#39;s done that in the past for Rajasthan (Royals). And he#39;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#39;ll see from Sanju over the next two or three years,rdquo; Shastri said on The ICC Review.

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#39;t do justice to that ability. But my word this season, the way he#39;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 ththe semi-finals, ande#39;s showing now in the IPL, makes him a clear case as far as I#39;m concerned for leadership in the future,rdquo; Shastri added.