The question of who will lead India’s T20 side has taken a new turn. Earlier reports had favoured Shreyas Iyer, but according to News18, the BCCI selection committee now prefers Sanju Samson for the role, with an eye on the upcoming tours of Ireland and England.
The shift follows Samson’s strong T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament. Although he didn’t feature in the opening games, he produced knocks of 89 and 97 in the knockout stages, which reportedly impressed Ajit Agarkar’s committee with both his form and temperament.
Why Samson
Part of the thinking is the dip in Suryakumar Yadav’s batting form during IPL 2026, despite his record as a leader. As for Iyer, selectors are said to be cautious given he has been out of the T20I setup since 2023, making Samson — currently in excellent touch — a smoother fit. His IPL season with Chennai Super Kings, where he has crossed 400 runs with multiple centuries, has strengthened his case, and he brings prior captaincy experience from his time leading the Rajasthan Royals.
With the committee looking to build for the future after the retirement of senior players, an official announcement on the captaincy is expected as the IPL reaches its closing stages — a prospect Kerala cricket fans are watching closely.
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