Sanju Samson faced an unfortunate start in his inaugural match for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the IPL 2026 season. The right-handed batsman was dismissed for just six runs against his previous team, the Rajasthan Royals (RR), on Monday in Guwahati. This marked a disappointing moment as he was clean bowled by Nandre Burger while attempting a leg-side flick.
IPL 2026 Debut Details
Samson’s first innings for CSK lasted only seven balls. The delivery, clocked at 140.2 km/h, deviated and struck the off stump. Prior to this match, he had consistently scored over 50 runs in the opening games of previous seasons.
Previous Opening Matches
| Year | Runs Scored | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 74 | CSK |
| 2021 | 119 | PBKS |
| 2022 | 55 | SRH |
| 2023 | 55 | SRH |
| 2024 | 82* | LSG |
| 2025 | 66 | SRH |
| 2026 | 6 | RR |
Match Context
Prior to the match, RR won the toss and chose to bowl first, citing wet conditions as a significant factor. RR Captain Riyan Parag explained the decision, emphasizing the impact of recent rains.
During the early overs, CSK struggled significantly, finding themselves at 30 for 3 within four overs. Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger proved to be a formidable challenge, sending key players Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ayush Mhatre back to the pavilion early.
- Samson’s move to CSK came after an 11-year tenure with RR.
- In exchange, Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran were traded to Rajasthan Royals.
- Samson’s previous IPL performances have been consistently strong in opening matches.
