‘Sanju Samson not going to score every time’: Stephen Fleming shuts down panic over CSK star’s poor start to IPL 2026

Stephen Fleming played down concerns around Sanju Samson’s form, insisting that a couple of low scores do not change his match-winning ability.

Updated on: Apr 4, 2026, 10:54:39 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has backed Sanju Samson despite his low scores in the first two matches of IPL 2026. The swashbuckling opener, who made a sensational move to CSK through a trade deal, as the franchise started making efforts about life after Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is at the fag end of his career. The season hasn't started on an expected note for Samson as he scored just 6 against his former side Rajasthan Royals, and then things didn't change for him versus the Punjab Kings, where he managed 7.

Sanju Samson has scored just 13 runs in the first two matches. (AP)

Backing his new-signing amid early-season scrutiny, Fleming played down concerns around Samson’s form, insisting that a couple of low scores do not change his match-winning ability.

"He is not going to score every time. It's T20 cricket and he just nicked one today. But, he is in good form. He is training well. And when he gets going, he is often a match-winner. So, two innings don't define an area of concern," Fleming said in the post-match press conference.

Meanwhile, CSK have endured a poor start to the season, losing their first two matches and finding themselves under early pressure once again after finishing at the bottom of the table last year.

Expanding on the changing nature of the format, Fleming spoke about how batting roles have evolved in T20 cricket, pointing out that the traditional idea of designated finishers is no longer as relevant.

“Look, I don’t think there is a thing called finishers anymore. It’s right from ball one, everyone is going at a rate of knocks. It’s not ‘build up to the 16th over and then go harder’. Everyone’s going hard from ball one. So the run rates of 10, 11, 12 all the way through are what’s expected and you’re not really getting the big peaks towards the end," he added.

Also Read - Virat Kohli breaks silence on being called an ‘overseas player’ for RCB in IPL 2026 after moving to London

“We've got Dewald Brevis and MS Dhoni on the sideline”: Fleming

Continuing on the same line, Fleming backed CSK’s batting depth, while also pointing to the presence of Dewald Brevis and MS Dhoni, who are recovering from injuries, as key sources of power in the line-up.

“It’s just a more aggressive approach to get 240. So you actually have to have players all the way through that are going to be aggressive and that’s certainly the team that we’ve got. Keep in mind we’ve got (Dewald) Brevis on the sideline and you’ve got one of the best finishers in the MS (Dhoni) and there’s some power there but Brevis is in the middle. I’m really content with the pace that we can go,” Fleming said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.