Sanju Samson has to be CSK’s new big hope. The team has been struggling to deliver for the last two years, and they just can’t seem to make the playoffs anymore. Hence he was traded with RR. Now, the big question that arises is, what position will Sanju bat at? Should he open or bat at no. 3?
Sanju Samson at no. 3?
CSK legend Suresh Raina feels that the Kerala batter should bat at no.3 in IPL 2026. That is because he will provide balance to the side. The right-hander is anyways coming after an excellent T20 World Cup, where he scored fifties in last three matches. Raina meanwhile, maintained that Chennai should persist with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ayush Mhatre as openers.
“He was the captain of the Rajasthan Royals for so many years. I think his role will be clear here. Will Sanju Samson or Ruturaj open with Mhatre? Or will Ayush play as No. 3? If Sanju plays as No. 3, it will be good according to me, because then Dewald Brevis will come at No. 4,” Raina told Jio Hotstar.
“Shivam Dube will come at No. 5. At No. 6, it depends on who you bring. Will Prashant Veer be there? Will Akeal Hussain be there? Will Noor Ahmed be there? It will be important to know how many fast bowlers play overseas,” he said. The southpaw also went on to add that Sanju Samson should be the one keeping wickets for the team.
Rutu & Mhatre to open?
“But Sanju will be there as a keeper. We saw the atmosphere he created when he played in the World Cup. He welcomed everyone there. I think his role will be more important as No. 3. If you allow Ayush Mhatre and Ruturaj Gaikwad to bat at the top, the middle order looks more experienced and stronger,” he said.
“Otherwise, after that, it will be MS Dhoni coming in, and I feel he will only play the last two or three overs. Before that, when Brevis comes in with Sanju, and then Shivam Dube after him, it becomes very important to have a player like Sanju there who brings a different level of experience,” Raina concluded.
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