Sanju Samson’s early performances for Chennai Super Kings have already drawn attention, but head coach Stephen Fleming remains confident in the experienced batter. Despite a quiet start in his first two IPL 2026 matches, Fleming emphasised that Samson’s ability is beyond doubt and expressed belief that he will soon find his rhythm.
Following his move from Rajasthan Royals, Samson faced enormous expectations, especially with CSK stepping into a new era and the batter won the Player of the Tournament award in India’s 2026 T20 World Cup win. However, scores of 6 and 7 in his first two outings have sparked debate over his form. Speaking after CSK’s loss to Punjab Kings, Fleming urged fans to remain patient.
“He won’t score in every match. It’s T20 cricket, and today he just got a nick. But his form is good, his training is solid, and when he clicks, he can change the game. Two innings alone don’t signal a problem.”
Samson’s form has been under the spotlight after two quiet games. He scored only 6 runs off 7 balls against his former team, the Rajasthan Royals, in Guwahati, falling to Nandre Burger. In his Chepauk debut, Xavier Bartlett dismissed him after he managed just 7 runs from 7 deliveries.
Samson has tallied only 13 runs in two innings, averaging 6.5, indicating a slow entry into the season. Despite this, there is calmness in the CSK camp. His career shows a history of slow starts followed by strong middle-phase performances, something the team continues to rely on.
Samson’s recent struggles have drawn attention, but CSK’s overall issues have intensified the pressure. Their loss to Punjab Kings marked a troubling continuation of form, with the five-time champions now suffering six straight defeats at home.
Even after posting a competitive total of 210 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, CSK could not defend it. Priyansh Arya blazed 39 off just 11 balls, setting the pace for Punjab, while Shreyas Iyer played a composed innings, scoring a fluent half-century to guide his team to victory in only 18.4 overs.
For a team that has traditionally treated Chepauk as a stronghold, the current slide is notable. Last season, CSK managed just a single home win, and the poor home form has carried into 2026, prompting questions about strategy, player combinations, and execution.
Looking ahead, CSK will aim to bounce back quickly as they prepare to take on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The priority will be to find consistency.
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