Fleming tells CSK fans to be patient with Samson after two single-figure scores
Two matches, two single-figure scores, and a franchise stuck at the bottom of the table. That is not the start Sanju Samson or Chennai Super Kings had in mind when the big trade from Rajasthan Royals went through ahead of IPL 2026.
Samson scored 6 against his former side in the opener, then 7 against Punjab Kings on Thursday as CSK slumped to a second straight defeat at Chepauk. The ground where Chennai have historically been close to unbeatable has now seen six consecutive home losses. Something is clearly off.
Fleming's defence is measured but firm
After the Punjab Kings loss, Stephen Fleming was asked directly about Samson's form. His response was deliberate. "Two innings don't define an area of concern," Fleming said. "He is in good form. He is training well. When Sanju gets going, he is a match-winner."
Fleming has a point about small sample sizes. Samson walked into IPL 2026 off the back of a Player of the Tournament performance at the T20 World Cup, where he topped the runs charts and played defining innings in the knockout rounds. Two quiet outings do not erase that record.
The problem is bigger than one batter
Samson's scores have attracted the most attention because of his price tag and profile, but CSK's issues run wider. Their death bowling has been exposed in both matches. Nathan Ellis is out for the season with a hamstring injury, and Spencer Johnson, his replacement, is not yet available — he is recovering from a back injury of his own and is not expected to join the squad until late April. MS Dhoni's absence with a calf strain has removed the calming presence behind the stumps that CSK teams have relied on for over a decade.
On Thursday, 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre scored 73 off 43 balls at the top of the order, hitting six fours and five sixes to give CSK a platform. Sarfaraz Khan's cameo of 32 off 12 deliveries pushed the total to 209 for 5. But Punjab Kings chased it down with eight balls to spare, a sign that the bowling simply cannot defend totals that should be enough.
Samson will come good, but CSK need fixes elsewhere
Fleming knows that the spotlight on Samson is louder than it should be right now. The 31-year-old has been one of the most consistent IPL performers across recent seasons and his record in India's T20 World Cup triumph speaks for itself. He will score runs for CSK.
The harder question for Fleming is whether the rest of the squad can hold things together long enough for Samson's form to arrive. With Dhoni's return still unclear and the bowling looking fragile, CSK's problems go well beyond one batter finding his rhythm.
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