Stephen Fleming, head coach of Chennai Super Kings, has shown strong support for Sanju Samson despite the batter’s slow start in the Indian Premier League 2026 season.
Samson has not scored big runs in his first two matches for CSK this year, but Fleming believes that two low scores do not define a player’s form in T20 cricket.
Fleming’s Message: Samson Still a Match-Winner
Fleming made it clear that he has full faith in Samson’s ability.
He explained that T20 cricket is unpredictable and no batter can score runs in every match. According to the CSK coach, Samson has been training well and remains an important player for the team.
Fleming also pointed to Samson’s strong performances for India recently, including his contributions in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
His message was simple: Samson’s quality will show once he settles at the crease.
Samson’s CSK Debut Season
Samson joined Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2026 season and made his debut for the franchise in the opening match.
Interestingly, his first game for CSK came against his former team, Rajasthan Royals.
The match took place at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. Although Samson arrived after a strong international campaign, his first two IPL innings for CSK have not produced the big scores the team expected.
Opening Partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad
CSK started the season with a new opening combination featuring Samson and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
However, the partnership has not clicked yet in the early matches.
CSK Opening Pair Performance (Early IPL 2026)
| Player | Role | Early Season Situation |
|---|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | Opener | Two low scores so far |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Captain & Opener | Low strike rate and slow start |
Because both batters are still finding rhythm, CSK have struggled to get strong starts at the top of the order.
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Possible Changes to the Top Order
To improve their batting start, CSK may consider a change in the opening combination.
One possible move is promoting Ayush Mhatre to open the innings alongside Samson.
Possible Batting Plan
| Position | Possible Player |
|---|---|
| Opener 1 | Ayush Mhatre |
| Opener 2 | Sanju Samson |
| No.3 | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
This approach could allow Samson to settle early and then play more aggressive shots later in the innings.
Debate Around the Jadeja–Samson Trade
CSK made a major decision before the season by trading away Ravindra Jadeja and bringing in Samson.
Jadeja had been a key player for Chennai Super Kings for more than a decade.
Jadeja’s Contribution to CSK
| Achievement | Details |
|---|---|
| Seasons with CSK | 11 seasons |
| IPL titles with CSK | 2018, 2021, 2023 |
| Role | All-rounder and key spin option |
Because of Jadeja’s long association with the team, the trade has sparked debate among fans and experts.
Bowling Concerns After Jadeja’s Exit
Since Jadeja’s departure, CSK’s bowling unit has faced some questions.
Several bowlers have struggled in early matches, especially in the spin department.
CSK Bowling Situation
| Bowler | Current Situation |
|---|---|
| Rahul Chahar | Faced difficult spells in recent matches |
| Noor Ahmad | Also struggled in the Punjab Kings game |
| Prashant Veer | Yet to bowl this season |
Without Jadeja’s experience in the middle overs, the team is still searching for the right balance.
What CSK Must Improve Next
After two early defeats, Chennai Super Kings will want to fix both their batting and bowling combinations quickly.
Key focus areas for the team include:
- Building a stronger opening partnership
- Improving the strike rate at the top of the order
- Finding stability in the spin bowling department
The possible promotion of Ayush Mhatre could be one of the first changes tested in the coming matches.
The upcoming matches will be important for Chennai Super Kings.
If Samson and Gaikwad find form at the top, the team’s batting lineup could become much stronger.
At the same time, the bowling attack will need to improve consistency after the changes in the squad.
Stephen Fleming’s support shows that the team management is willing to give Samson time to settle. The next few matches will reveal whether that faith brings results for CSK.
