Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa has backed Sanju Samson to open the innings for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026. According to reports, Samson is all set to be traded to CSK in exchange for the all-rounder duo of Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja.

Samson has delivered consistently while opening the innings, and Uthappa opposed the idea of him batting in the middle order. Uthappa reckons Samson will either open with Ruturaj Gaikwad or Urvil Patel. CSK also has Ayush Mhatre in the squad, who opened in the last edition.

Robin Uthappa said on his YouTube Channel, “I hate the idea of Sanju batting down the order. I think you’ll probably see Sanju and Ruturaj opening the batting, or Sanju or Urvil opening the batting.”

“If Sanju has to continue to push for a spot in the Indian team at the top of the order, he has to open the batting. If he bats anywhere below that number, then he’s doing himself a massive disservice, and they [selectors] will use that as an excuse against [him],” he added.

Samson has been moved down to the middle order in the Indian team after Shubman Gill’s vice-captaincy appointment. 

Uthappa highlighted that CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad prefers the number three position in T20s.

“Funnily enough, Ruturaj wants to bat at No. 3 in T20 cricket, and I don’t understand the logic of that. When he was captain, he wanted to bat at No. 3 till he got injured last year in the IPL. That is so self-defeating because you have just kind of creating a space for yourself in Indian cricket.”

The former flamboyant batter said Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel can also bat at one drop.

“You’ve actually created a space for yourself where you can actually push for a position there, and he did this when Virat was still playing, right?… And then suddenly he’s out in the lurch trying to find his way back in. I hope he does. I really like to see him [Gaikwad] and Sanju open. Urvil at No. 3.”

CSK had finished the previous season as the cellar-dwellers, with four wins in 14 games.