Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has come to the defence of opener Sanju Samson, amid scrutiny over the batter’s slow start to the IPL 2026 season. Samson, who joined CSK from the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the season, has struggled in his first two outings, scoring just 6 and 7 runs in consecutive matches.
The high-profile move of Samson, fresh off being named Player of the Tournament in India’s 2026 T20 World Cup triumph, came with heightened expectations. Fans and analysts had anticipated that his form would bolster CSK, who finished last season at the bottom of the points table. However, his initial performances, including a 6-run outing against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati and 7 runs in his Chepauk debut against Punjab Kings on Friday, have drawn criticism.
Fleming responded firmly to questions about Samson’s form, stating, “He is not going to score every time. It’s T20 cricket, and he just nicked one today. But he is in good form. He is training well. And when he gets going, he is often a match-winner. So, two innings don’t define an area of concern.” The coach emphasised that a couple of low scores should not be taken as an indicator of long-term issues for the player or the team.
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Samson’s record at Chepauk, however, has historically been modest. According to CricViz data, in six innings at the venue, he has scored 66 runs at an average of 11 with a strike rate of 100—the lowest among IPL venues where he has played at least five innings. CSK will be looking to see an improvement in his form in the upcoming matches.
The five-time IPL champions have had a challenging start to the season, losing both of their opening fixtures. After the losses to Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings, CSK will face defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday, hoping to find momentum and turn their campaign around.
With six more matches remaining in the initial phase of the IPL 2026 season, the team management remains optimistic that Samson can regain his rhythm and play a pivotal role in CSK’s bid to return to the top of the points table.
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