Former Indian cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath believes that Sanju Samson will be the backbone for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. Badrinath made the comments ahead of the start of the much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, which is scheduled to begin on March 28.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) management traded their former captain to the Chennai-based franchise. To secure Samson, Chennai management has released star all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Both players will represent the Jaipur-based franchise in the upcoming marquee tournament.
Sanju Samson is going to be the backbone – Subramaniam Badrinath
Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Badrinath said that the CSK team management has made a masterstroke by securing a reliable wicketkeeper and a potential future leader. The former player said that Sanju Samson can maintain his international confidence in the IPL.
He said on his YouTube channel, “CSK is a big franchise and there will be a lot of expectations from Samson. I think the Sanju Samson era is about to begin for CSK. He is coming into the team with great form and confidence. It is a big positive thing. I think he is going to be the backbone.”
“Definitely, it’s a masterstroke. A wicket-keeper batsman has been covered, maybe the future captain has been covered. But there’s a long way to go,” he said.
Sanju Samson was playing for Rajasthan for so many years- Subramaniam Badrinath
Chennai Super Kings will start their new campaign on March 29 against Rajasthan Royals at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. Badrinath said it would be an emotional factor for the new players to face their former teammates.
He said, “Jadeja was playing for CSK for so many years and now he has moved to Rajasthan. Sanju Samson was playing for Rajasthan for so many years and will now play for CSK. I think it will be a tremendous clash and clash for both the teams.”
He said, “I think a player always has some soft spot for his former franchise. Playing against them, he (Sanju) would want to perform well. Like why did you leave me and make Riyan Parag the captain. Look, I am playing for CSK now and will play against you. He will have the same thing in his mind, the same thing will be for Jadeja too. He will want to show CSK for dropping him. So it will be a fair match.”
Sanju Samson continues his great form in IPL 2026
Both franchises experienced disappointing campaigns last season, finishing at the bottom of the points table. They would like to make a comeback in the upcoming tournament.
Samson recently performed brilliantly during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He played an important role in winning the trophy for Team India. Despite missing the initial group matches, he played three consecutive match-winning innings against West Indies, England and New Zealand.
He finished the tournament as the highest run-scorer for the national team. He scored 321 runs in just five matches at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37. The wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 4,704 runs in 172 IPL matches, including three centuries and 26 half-centuries.
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