Sanju Samson’s highly anticipated debut for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026 did not unfold as expected, as the star wicketkeeper-batter suffered an early dismissal that also ended his remarkable streak of strong starts in opening matches. Facing his former side Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, Samson managed just six runs off seven deliveries.
The right-hander, who made headlines with his move from Rajasthan Royals to Chennai ahead of the auction, entered the season with high expectations. His recent performances in the T20 World Cup had further boosted his reputation, where he delivered crucial innings in the knockout stages and earned the Player of the Tournament award.
However, the conditions in Guwahati proved challenging. The pitch had been under covers due to rain, making batting tricky. England pacer Jofra Archer applied early pressure with disciplined bowling, testing Samson with deliveries around the off-stump line.
Samson’s innings was cut short by South African pacer Nandre Burger, who delivered a sharp ball at over 140 kmph. The delivery swung away slightly, beating Samson’s bat and crashing into the stumps, ending his stay at the crease prematurely.
This dismissal marked the first time in six years that Samson failed to score a half-century or more in his opening IPL appearance. In previous seasons, he had consistently delivered impressive starts, including scores of 74 in 2020, 119 in 2021, 55 in 2022, 55 in 2023, 82 not out in 2024, and 66 in 2025.
The early setback impacted Chennai Super Kings significantly, as the team found themselves struggling at 38 for 4 within the powerplay. Burger continued his strong spell by picking up additional wickets, while Sandeep Sharma also contributed to the collapse.
Samson’s debut may not have gone as planned, but his track record suggests he remains a key figure for Chennai as the tournament progresses.