Suresh Raina Suggests New Batting Position For Sanju Samson In IPL 2026
Suresh Raina urges team to promote Sanju Samson in IPL.
Former Suresh Raina has suggested that Sanju Samson should be given a different batting role in the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season, arguing that a change in position could help the star batter maximize his impact for his franchise.
Raina, a legendary figure for Chennai Super Kings, shared his views during a recent discussion on team strategies ahead of the new IPL season. The former India international believes Samson’s batting potential could be better utilized if he is promoted to bat higher up the order rather than being used primarily in the middle order.
According to Raina, Samson has the technique and attacking mindset required to take advantage of the powerplay overs. Batting earlier in the innings would allow him to face more deliveries and dictate the pace of the game, something the stylish right-hander has demonstrated on several occasions in the tournament.
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Samson, who has established himself as one of the most talented stroke-makers in the league, has played multiple roles across seasons depending on team strategy and match situations. While he has often batted in the middle order, analysts have frequently debated whether he would be more effective opening the innings or playing at number three.
Raina noted that modern T20 cricket rewards aggressive batting in the early overs, and players with Samson’s ability can significantly shift momentum if they are given enough time at the crease. He added that placing Samson higher in the batting order could also stabilize the team’s lineup and give the middle order greater freedom to play attacking cricket later in the innings.
The suggestion comes as franchises fine-tune their combinations ahead of IPL 2026, with teams closely evaluating player roles to maximize performance during the high-intensity tournament. Whether Samson’s franchise will adopt the change remains to be seen, but Raina’s comments have added fresh discussion about how best to deploy one of India’s most gifted T20 batters.
Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav Reveals Message to Dropped Samson: 'What's Yours Will Come'
