Stephen Fleming Defends Sanju Samson Amid CSK's Struggles in IPL 2026
‘Sanju Samson not going to score every time’: Stephen Fleming shuts down panic over CSK star’s poor start to IPL 2026
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has expressed confidence in Sanju Samson despite the player's poor performance in the first two matches of IPL 2026, where he scored just 6 and 7 runs. Fleming emphasized that early-season struggles do not define Samson's potential as a match-winner.
- 01Sanju Samson scored only 6 and 7 runs in his first two matches of IPL 2026.
- 02Stephen Fleming believes Samson's low scores do not reflect his overall ability.
- 03CSK has lost their first two matches, continuing a trend from last season.
- 04Fleming highlighted the evolution of batting roles in T20 cricket.
- 05Dewald Brevis and MS Dhoni are key players recovering from injuries.
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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has come to the defense of Sanju Samson, who has struggled in the opening matches of IPL 2026, scoring just 6 runs against Rajasthan Royals and 7 against Punjab Kings. Despite these low scores, Fleming reassured fans that Samson's potential as a match-winner remains intact, stating, "He is not going to score every time... two innings don't define an area of concern." CSK has had a rocky start to the season, losing both matches and facing pressure early on, similar to their last-place finish in the previous season. Fleming also discussed the changing dynamics of T20 cricket, asserting that the role of finishers has evolved, with all players expected to contribute aggressively from the start. He expressed confidence in CSK's batting depth, mentioning the potential impact of injured players Dewald Brevis and MS Dhoni, who are expected to add power to the lineup once fit.
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The performance of Sanju Samson and CSK's early struggles could affect fan morale and team dynamics moving forward in the tournament.
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