Sanju Samson became a hot topic in all discussions related to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), especially after his heroics in the T20 World Cup 2026. Former India batsman Suresh Raina suggested where to fit Samson in the batting order for the IPL 2026 season.
After a disappointing Indian Premier League captaincy in 2025, the CSK management spent heavily ahead of the 2026 competition to strengthen the team on paper with several young cricketers who have the potential to serve the team for a long time. Samson is one of them.
Where should Sanju Samson bat for CSK in IPL 2026?
In order to bring Sanju Samson on board, the five-time league winners swapped Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals. But at which position will the team ask him to bat? The question remains.
Suresh Raina said that number 3 would be best for Sanju Samson with Ayush Mhatre and Ruturaj Gaikwad as openers. To balance the entire batting order, Raina placed Samson at number three as a pivot between the openers and the middle order.
“He was the captain of Rajasthan Royals for so many years. I think his role will be clear here. Will Sanju open for Samson or Ruturaj Maitre? Or will Ayush play as number three? We have the World Cup here. If he plays as number three, it will be good. Because then (Dewald) Brevis will come in at number four”, Suresh Raina said in a Star Sports programme.
Who will bat at number 6?
In a separate discussion, another former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar discussed the possible playing combination of Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2026. Continuing that thread, Raina also named Shivam Dubey at No. 5. For Raina, the sixth batting position is going to be very important for the team management to choose from as there are many options in the team.
“Sanjay Bhai said Shivam Dubey will come at number five. At number six, it depends on who you bring in. Will Prashant Veer be there? Will Akhil Hossain be there? Will Noor Ahmed be there? It will be important to know how many fast bowlers play overseas”, he said.
Suresh Raina chose Samson instead of MS Dhoni
In a surprise decision, Suresh Raina chose Kerala-born Sanju Samson as the keeper over MS Dhoni as the Kerala-born player has a huge fan following.
“But Sanju will be there as a keeper. We have seen the atmosphere he created when he played in the World Cup. He welcomed everyone there. I think his role as number three will be more important. Because if you let Ayush Matre and Ruturaj play at the top, they will get the experience of the middle order. Then they will look stronger,” the former cricketer said.
“Otherwise, I think he will play the last two or three overs. Before that, in the middle order, when Brevis comes in with Sanju, after Brevis, you will have Shivam Dubey. Sanju has to be a player with a different experience,” he also said.
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