Stephen Fleming backs Sanju Samson through early IPL 2026 batting struggles.
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Stephen Fleming Supports Sanju Samson
The Chennai Super Kings head coach, Stephen Fleming, has publicly supported opening batter Sanju Samson following a slow start to his new franchise career. The player recently joined the team for the IPL 2026 season after transferring from the Rajasthan Royals.
The franchise hopes to improve its tournament standings after finishing at the bottom of the points table last year.
Early Season Form and Match Performances
Expectations were high for the batter after he earned the Player of the Tournament award during India’s 2026 T20 World Cup victory.
However, initial performances from Sanju Samson during the current campaign have yielded modest results. He scored six runs against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati during the season opener.
Subsequently, he managed seven runs from seven deliveries against the Punjab Kings during his home debut.
Historical Venue Records and Team Standings
Historical data indicate that Sanju Samson has faced persistent challenges batting at the Chennai venue. Across his professional career, he holds his lowest venue batting average at this specific stadium.
The Chennai Super Kings management remains optimistic about his form with six games remaining in the schedule. The squad is preparing to face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru next, following two consecutive tournament defeats.
Career statistics for the batter at the Chepauk stadium:
- Total innings played: 6
- Total runs accumulated: 66
- Venue batting average: 11
- Overall strike rate: 100
Key Takeaways
- Stephen Fleming expressed confidence in Samson’s training and match-winning capabilities.
- The player scored a combined 13 runs across his first two innings for Chennai.
- The team will seek its first tournament victory against Bengaluru on Sunday.
| Question |
| 1. What was Sanju Samson’s score in his first match for CSK against the Rajasthan Royals? A) 6 B) 7 C) 11 D) 66 |
| 2. Which team did Sanju Samson transfer from before joining the Chennai Super Kings? A) Punjab Kings B) Royal Challengers Bengaluru C) Rajasthan Royals D) Mumbai Indians |
| 3. How many total runs has Sanju Samson scored in his 6 innings at Chepauk? A) 6 B) 11 C) 66 D) 100 |
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