Subramaniam Badrinath, a former Team India batter, has expressed concerns over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) management’s decision to send uncapped player Kartik Sharma higher up the batting order than seasoned players Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube during IPL 2026. Kartik was acquired by CSK for a hefty ₹14.20 crore at the 2026 auction.
Kartik, initially positioned in the lower middle order, has been promoted to the No.4 spot in CSK’s last two matches. This strategic move has proven fruitful, with Kartik scoring unbeaten 54 and 41 in his recent innings, successfully steering the team through moderate run chases.
Despite these achievements, Badrinath voiced his concerns on his YouTube channel (6:08), suggesting that this strategy might falter in high-scoring games and more crucial matches:
“CSK are adamant in playing Kartik Sharma at No.4. He is playing well, but when you have more experienced players, who have won tournaments, why are they not coming up the order? It is working now when you are chasing paltry scores like 150.”
Badrinath further commented:
“You are keeping players like Brevis and Dube inside the closet and backing a youngster because you signed him for 14 crores. It is working now, but the question remains if it’ll work in the long run for CSK to finish in the top four.”
Thanks to his recent performances at No.4, Kartik’s run tally for the season has increased to 153, boasting an average above 30 and a strike rate of 127.50.
“Sanju and Ruturaj should not open together” – Subramaniam Badrinath
Badrinath also advised CSK to reconsider their opening pair of Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad for upcoming games. He proposed that young player Urvil Patel should partner with Samson at the top, while Gaikwad should bat at No.3.
“I’ve maintained from the start that Sanju and Ruturaj should not open together. Gaikwad should bat at No.3 with Urvil Patel opening. Urvil can be allowed to bat like a wild loose cannon at the top while allowing Sanju a breather. No.3 and 4 are crucial positions in a batting order. Urvil Patel and Kartik Sharma are batting there,” said Badrinath (via the aforementioned source).
He added:
“But CSK have been chasing 150s in the last two matches. It is different when you are batting first or chasing 190 to 200. Will this batting order work out in such cases, or if you have to win a knockout game in the playoffs? I don’t have the confidence that it will.”
In his inaugural season with CSK, Samson has excelled as an opener, with an average of 57.42 and a strike rate of 157.50 over 10 matches. Conversely, Gaikwad has underperformed at the top, averaging 31.37 with a strike rate below 121.
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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran
