Sanju Samson fails again at Chepauk, CSK opener’s troubling record worsens after early dismissal vs PBKS

Sanju Samson’s poor record at the Chepauk continued on Friday as the Chennai Super Kings lost his wicket early against Punjab Kings in their IPL 2026 fixture. Opening the innings with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Samson was dismissed by Xavier Bartlett in the second over, departing for seven off seven balls.

Bartlett spotted that Samson was backing away from the stumps towards the leg side, and he sent his delivery on top of middle. Samson tried to direct it away on the off side without any footwork, and the ball nipped away off the seam, catching his outside edge and going to the wicketkeeper, and CSK lost their first wicket.

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Samson was traded to CSK ahead of the auction, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran joining Rajasthan Royals. CSK opened their IPL 2026 campaign against RR and lost by eight wickets. Samson was dismissed for six off seven balls.

Speaking on joining CSK, he said, “I am really excited to be part of CSK. I had spoken to Dhoni over the phone and had shared the dressing room with him when I was in the Indian team. I always had positive vibes after interaction with Dhoni bhai. This will be different as I will be spending close to two months with Dhoni in CSK, and I am eagerly looking forward to it. It will be a great opportunity for me to observe him from close quarters and learn from him.”

“I was surprised by the support I got from the Chennai crowd during the World Cup. I think I am lucky. Maybe they see me as one of them. I don’t want to disappoint them in the IPL and will give my best for CSK,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jadeja also recently opened up about his CSK exit, revealing it was a difficult emotional moment. “I’m liking the pink colour. The yellow had started to feel a bit old, but I’m just joking. Obviously, leaving a franchise like CSK, where I had played for 12-13 years, was a little difficult initially. It was very emotional,” he said.

“But I told myself that changes like these are also part of the journey. The good thing was that I’m now with the team where I had first won an IPL title. That memory has always stayed with me, that after the Under-19 World Cup, I started my IPL career there and won the title in my very first season. I have carried those memories along with a positive mindset, and my aim is to learn as much as I can with the new group and also share my experience with the team,” he added on Jio Hotstar.