Sanju Samson’s much-anticipated debut for Chennai Super Kings failed to go according to script, as an off day brought a remarkable six-year IPL streak to an abrupt end. The wicketkeeper-batter, who made a high-profile move from Rajasthan Royals ahead of last December’s auction, was dismissed for just six off seven balls against his former team in the IPL 2026 clash at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Monday.
Rajasthan Royals' Nandre Burger celebrates the wicket of Chennai Super Kings' Sanju Samson during their Indian Premier League 2026 match (ANI Pic Service)
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Samson arrived at the IPL amid immense buzz—not only because he has been widely seen as a potential successor to MS Dhoni in the Chennai setup, but also due to his recent exploits at the T20 World Cup. After not featuring in the first five matches, he struck three consecutive fifty-plus scores in the knockouts to help India retain the title and was eventually named Player of the Tournament.
However, the script played out differently on Monday, with Chennai fielding a side without Dhoni for the first time in seven seasons. On a surface that had spent considerable time under covers due to rain in Guwahati, Jofra Archer tested Samson early with probing fuller deliveries around off stump.
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After a tentative start, Nandre Burger struck with a 140.2 kmph delivery that crashed into Samson’s off stump. Just a shade fuller than a good length, the away-swinger beat the bat and left the CSK debutant undone.
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After a tentative start, Nandre Burger struck with a 140.2 kmph delivery that crashed into Samson’s off stump. Just a shade fuller than a good length, the away-swinger beat the bat and left the CSK debutant undone.
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Dismissed for just six runs in seven balls, which comprised one boundary, this was the first time in six seasons that Samson did not score a fifty or more in his opening IPL game. His last six scores read: 74 (32) vs CSK in 2020, 119 (63) vs PBKS in 2021, 55 (27) vs SRH in 2022, 55 (32) vs SRH in 2023, 82* (52) vs LSG in 2024 and 66 (37) vs SRH in 2025.
Burger went on to claim two more wickets, while Sandeep Sharma chipped in with one, as Chennai slumped to 38 for 4 in 5.3 overs during the powerplay.
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
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