IPL 2026: Sanju Samson flops in much-anticipated CSK debut against Rajasthan Royals

Sanju Samson did not have an ideal start to his IPL journey with his new franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), as the right-handed batter was clean bowled by Nandre Burger while playing against his former team, Rajasthan Royals, on Monday in Guwahati.

Samson was bowled by Nandre Burger while attempting a leg-side flick. The delivery, clocked at 140.2 kmph, moved away and hit the off stump. He scored 6 runs off 7 balls in his first innings for CSK.

Samson's first innings in yellow, against the side he made a name with, was cut short early.

This was also the first time since 2020 that Samson did not register a score of 50 or more in his opening match of an IPL season.

• 74 (32) vs CSK, 2020
• 119 (63) vs PBKS, 2021
• 55 (27) vs SRH, 2022
• 55 (32) vs SRH, 2023
• 82* (52) vs LSG, 2024
• 66 (37) vs SRH, 2025
• 6 (7) vs RR, 2026*

Ahead of IPL 2026, RR and CSK had completed a trade that saw Samson move to Chennai, while Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran went the other way. Samson had been with the Rajasthan Royals for 11 years before the move.

Earlier, Rajasthan Royals (RR) won the toss and opted to bowl first against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their first match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season on Monday.

After winning the toss, RR Captain Riyan Parag said that the wet conditions from recent rain are the reason he has opted to bowl first.

At the time of writing the story, CSK were reduced to 30 for 3 in four overs as Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger wreaked havoc in Guwahati, sending Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ayush Mhatre back cheaply.

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