Former Indian cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath believes that Sanju Samson will become the backbone for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. Badrinath made the comments before the start of the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, which is scheduled to begin on March 28.
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) management traded their former captain to the Chennai-based franchise. To secure Samson, the Chennai management 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 made a masterstroke by securing a reliable wicketkeeper and a potential future leader. The former player said that Sanju Samson can carry his international confidence into the IPL.
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“CSK is a big franchise and there will be a lot of expectations from Samson. I think it is going to be Sanju Samson era that begins for CSK. He is coming to the team in great form and confidence. It is a big positive. I think he is going to be the backbone,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“Definitely, it is a masterstroke. A wicketkeeper batter is covered, probably a future captain is covered. But a long way to go,” he added.
Sanju Samson Was Playing These Many Years for Rajasthan – Subramaniam Badrinath
The Chennai Super Kings will start their new campaign against the Rajasthan Royals on March 29 at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. Badrinath said that there will be an emotional factor for the newly traded players facing their former teammates.
“Jadeja was playing so many years for CSK and now went to Rajasthan. Sanju Samson was playing these many years for Rajasthan and now will play for CSK. I think it will be a terrific clash and confrontation for both teams,” he said.
“I feel a player always has some light thing in them for their former franchise. Playing against them, he (Sanju) will want to do well. Like why did you leave me and make Riyan Parag captain. Look, I am playing for CSK now and will play against you. He will have that in his mind, same thing for Jadeja. He will want to show CSK for leaving him. So it will be a proper match,” he expressed.
Sanju Samson Carries Strong Form Into IPL 2026
Both franchises experienced disappointing campaigns last season, finishing at the bottom of the points table. They will look to bounce back in the upcoming tournament.
Samson delivered spectacular performances during the recent ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He played a crucial role in helping Team India lift the trophy. Despite missing the initial group matches, he scored three consecutive match-winning knocks against the West Indies, England, and New Zealand.
He finished the tournament as the highest run-scorer for the national team. He amassed 321 runs in just five matches at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37. The wicketkeeper-batter has scored 4,704 runs in 172 IPL matches, including three centuries and 26 half-centuries.
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