The former Indian selector has said that Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson will undoubtedly shape the future of CSK, but if they let veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja go, they will have no one to play the dual role.
With the deal between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals being finalized regarding the exchange of Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja, many hurdles have come in the way of both the franchises. Most recently the RR team lacked an overseas slot for CSK’s Sam Curran.
A former Indian batsman has now made some controversial statements, claiming that Sanju Samson may not be the right choice to leave out a player of Ravindra Jadeja’s caliber, who is very important from his point of view.
Urvil Patel can play Sanju Samson’s role in CSK – believes former BCCI selector
Sanju Samson for CSK and Ravindra Jadeja for Rajasthan Royals have been the talk of the town ahead of the IPL retention. If the swap eventually happens, CSK will lose their key all-rounder.
Former Indian selector Kris Srikkanth has claimed that although he does not doubt or value Samson’s ability, it is important to have all-rounders in any T20 team.
He further said that they already have wicketkeeper batsman Urvil Patel for the same role for which Sanju Samson is being brought to CSK, but they lack a player with all-round ability like Jadeja.
“Without Jadeja, who is your all-rounder in CSK? It is very important to have an all-rounder; it is an important role in the T20 format. I am not ignoring Samson, who is fantastic.”
“I am reading that Sanju Samson will be gradually developed as Dhoni’s successor. But for that, you already have Urvil Patel. He is also a wicketkeeper batsman,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
“Apart from Jadeja, CSK will have to look for another all-rounder,” says Kris Srikkanth.
Letting go of Ravindra Jadeja would mean that CSK would be without any all-rounder and would also be without one of their most experienced bowlers at the prestigious venue of Chepauk.
He further said that even if CSK raises the money to bring in Cameron Green, he is not known as a gun bowler; He is just a batsman who can bowl four overs.
“Barring Jadeja, CSK will have to look for another all-rounder. There is no tried and tested player like Cameron Green. He is not a great all-rounder.” He is a batsman who can bowl and bowl four overs hhe is not a lethal bowlerHe said, “Jadeja can win matches with his batting, bowling or fielding,”
“Even Sanju Samson’s record in IPL 2025 is no good.” Srikkanth believes it is unwise for Samson to leave out Jadeja
Responding to some of the criticisms of Jadeja’s batting form over the seasons, he clearly said that the all-rounder does not get as many chances as a batsman, but whenever he has been sent higher up the batting order, he has been useful with the bat.
“Jadeja also hasn’t got good chances with the bat in the last two years. He used to come in with two balls to spare. Even the crowd used to wait for him to get out so that Dhoni could come in, which was sad.”
“Yes, his strike rate in the 2025 season was not lethal. But one has to look at where he has batted and what the game conditions are. He does not come in at the top of the order. He mainly comes in at No. 6 or 7, so there are only 10-12 balls to play at that time,” Srikkanth said.
He further took a bit of a dig at Samson, as well as doubting his form, then quickly corrected himself, saying that he did not mean to disparage Samson; This is just comparing him with Jadeja.
“Even Sanju Samson’s record in IPL 2025 is not that good. It is not so good that he gets starts in most of the matches when he is batting at the top of the order. How many big scores has he scored as an opener?”
Srikkanth concluded, “Only one, around 60. Anybody can give starts, even Urvil Patel is giving starts. I am not underestimating Sanju Samson. It is only Samson compared to Jadeja. Samson is a brilliant cricketer.”
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