Who is the next captain of India after Surya? Kaif told Sanju Samson as the best option

Discussions about Sanju Samson’s captaincy after T20 World Cup 2026

New Delhi: After India’s historic win in the T20 World Cup 2026, the discussion on the future leadership of the team has intensified. Former veteran cricketer and commentator Mohammad Kaif has proposed the name of Sanju Samson in this context. He believes that Sanju has the necessary experience and mental maturity for leadership. His calm nature has put him at the forefront of this race.

essentials of leadership

Kaif made it clear that leadership should be in the hands of a player who has faced different situations. He also says that the mental stability required to face the challenges of international cricket should be an important quality of every new player. Giving immediate responsibility to new players can be risky, and Sanju’s extensive experience is important in this context.

IPL experience

Kaif has cited Sanju Samson’s IPL experience as an important factor for the captaincy. According to him, a player must prove himself on a tough platform like IPL before assuming the responsibility of the national team. Sanju has played around 150 matches in IPL and has captained Rajasthan Royals to the finals. This experience will help them in taking right decisions in pressure situations.

need for maturity

Kaif has compared Sanju to other successful players such as Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. Giving an example, he said that Rohit also became the captain of the team at the age of 30-32. During this period, he won 5 trophies in IPL, which proved his maturity. Kaif is also talking about keeping Sanju in this ‘mature model’, where the player understands the nuances of the game properly.

age and fitness

Discussing the future prospects, Kaif cited Sanju’s age and fitness in his favour. Sanju is just 31 years old, and his experience in the T20 format can change the outcome of the game. Kaif expressed hope that if Sanju maintains his fitness and form, he can become India’s next great captain.

mission 2028

Kaif is confident that Sanju Samson will be a major contender to take over the reins of Indian cricket in the future. He hopes that Sanju will lead India in the 2028 T20 World Cup. According to him, Sanju’s leadership skills can take the Indian team to new heights. Kaif’s open support for Sanju’s captaincy makes the debate more interesting.