Kartik Sharma at No. 4: Raina draws CSK comparison with Badrinath
Synopsis
Suresh Raina has compared CSK's 20-year-old Kartik Sharma to franchise legend S. Badrinath — a bold endorsement backed by five consecutive useful knocks, including a 71 and two unbeaten innings. If the comparison holds, CSK may have quietly solved one of T20 cricket's most demanding batting slots.
Key Takeaways
Suresh Raina compared Kartik Sharma to former CSK stalwart S.
Badrinath at the number four position in IPL 2026 .
Kartik, 20 , has scored 32, 71, 20, 41* and 54* across his last five matches for Chennai Super Kings .
Raina praised Kartik's ability to play spin, rotate strike, handle pace, and stay composed under pressure.
Raina cited his own experience batting alongside Badrinath as the basis for the comparison.
Kartik was signed at a high-profile price ahead of IPL 2026 and is, according to Raina, 'living up to it.'
Former India all-rounder Suresh Raina has backed young Kartik Sharma as a long-term solution for Chennai Super Kings' critical number four slot in IPL 2026, drawing a pointed comparison with former CSK stalwart S. Badrinath — one of the franchise's most trusted middle-order batters of the title-winning era.
Raina's Comparison
Speaking to JioStar, Raina credited Kartik's temperament and role clarity as the basis for the comparison. 'At number four, Badrinath always delivered for CSK. The way he batted and handled that role was top-class. Now, I feel young Kartik Sharma is playing that same role really well. He plays spin confidently, rotates the strike smartly, handles pace without trouble, and stays calm under pressure,' Raina said.
He added: 'These were exactly Badrinath's strengths, and Kartik is showing the same qualities.' Raina's assessment carries weight — he shared several key partnerships with Badrinath during CSK's early championship years and understands the demands of that batting position from the inside.
Kartik's Recent Form
The 20-year-old's recent run of scores makes a compelling case. Over CSK's last five matches, Kartik has posted 32 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, 71 against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow, 20 against LSG in Chennai, an unbeaten 41 against Delhi Capitals, and an unbeaten 54 against Mumbai Indians.
The sequence reflects not just run-scoring ability but a growing maturity — anchoring chases, navigating the middle overs, and finishing innings unbeaten twice. These are precisely the attributes that made Badrinath indispensable to CSK during their dominant run in the tournament's early seasons.
CSK's Investment Paying Off
Kartik was signed at a high-profile price ahead of IPL 2026, and his performances are beginning to justify that outlay. 'CSK spent good money on him, and he is living up to it. He is a quality player. I have shared many partnerships with Badrinath, and Kartik is proving to be just as good at number four,' Raina said.
The franchise has historically placed a premium on stability at number four — a position that often defines their chase architecture. Badrinath held that role for years; Raina's endorsement suggests CSK may have found a worthy successor.
What It Means for CSK
With the middle order often the difference between a competitive total and a collapse in T20 cricket, identifying a reliable number four is a strategic priority for any franchise. Kartik's composure in pressure situations — evidenced by two unbeaten knocks in his last five outings — points to a player growing into the demands of the role at pace. How he performs through the remainder of IPL 2026 will determine whether this comparison endures beyond a single strong stretch.
Point of View
Role-based assessment from someone who batted alongside Badrinath for years. What makes it credible is the pattern: two unbeaten knocks in five games, a top score of 71, and consistent contributions across opposition types. CSK have historically struggled when their number four slot rotates through multiple players mid-season; Kartik's consistency, if sustained, would end that problem. The more interesting question is whether a single strong stretch in IPL 2026 is enough to project him as a long-term franchise asset — or whether this is the kind of comparison that ages poorly if the form dips in the knockouts.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Suresh Raina compare Kartik Sharma to S. Badrinath?
Raina compared the two based on shared qualities at the number four position — playing spin confidently, rotating strike, handling pace, and staying calm under pressure. He said these were Badrinath's defining strengths, and Kartik is displaying the same traits in IPL 2026.
What has been Kartik Sharma's form in IPL 2026?
Kartik has scored 32, 71, 20, an unbeaten 41, and an unbeaten 54 across CSK's last five matches, with two not-out finishes highlighting his composure in chases.
Who is S. Badrinath and why is the comparison significant?
S. Badrinath was one of CSK's most dependable middle-order batters during the franchise's early title-winning years, known for his reliability and temperament at number four. Being compared to him by Raina — who partnered Badrinath regularly — carries considerable weight.
How old is Kartik Sharma and when was he signed by CSK?
Kartik Sharma is 20 years old and was signed by Chennai Super Kings at a high-profile price ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Raina has said the franchise's investment in him is already being justified by his performances.
What does the number four position mean for CSK's batting strategy?
The number four slot is critical to CSK's chase architecture and middle-overs stability. Historically, the franchise has relied on consistent performers in that role — Badrinath being the prime example — to bridge the top order and finishers.
