Former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath has picked the overseas spin duo of Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad as the biggest match-winners for Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2026. While Ahmad returned with impressive figures of 2-22 in three overs he bowled, Hosein bagged 1-19 in his four overs against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Tuesday.
Thus, the pair played a key role in restricting DC to a below-par score of 155-7. While Ahmad accounted for Nitish Rana and Karun Nair, Hosein got the big wicket of DC opener KL Rahul.
Ahmad has scalped 11 wickets in 10 matches, whereas Hosein has taken seven wickets in five games in the ongoing season.
Badrinath said on his YouTube Channel, “The two spinners are the key to CSK’s bowling. DC’s slide started with the work of Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad. Ruturaj Gaikwad should keep trusting the spinners this way and bowl them in tandem. They are your match-winners.”
On the other hand, Sanju Samson scored a match-winning knock of 87 runs off just 52 balls in the run chase and former CSK batter praised the opener for his fine innings.
“Sanju plus runs equal wins. This is CSK’s formula this entire season. CSK doesn’t lose when Sanju scores. He was only a run-a-ball in his first 22 deliveries before accelerating. That was the best part of his knock. This is the difference between a great and next-level player and a raw, inexperienced player,” he said.
Badrinath highlighted that CSK batters remained unfazed in the run chase against DC.
“The CSK batters had the confidence to take their time because of the low target. Even when DC bowled a few good overs, the CSK batters remained unfazed,” said Badrinath (via the aforementioned source).
Still, Badrinath wants the batting duo of Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis to bat ahead of Kartik Sharma.
“I still feel that when you have Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube, they should come ahead of Kartik Sharma. But if Kartik Sharma continues to prove me wrong, I’ll be more than happy,” he added.
Chennai Super Kings will next take on Lucknow Super Giants at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Sunday
