Sanju Samson’s much-anticipated debut for Chennai Super Kings didn’t go in line with script, as an off day introduced a outstanding six-year IPL streak to an abrupt finish. The wicketkeeper-batter, who made a high-profile transfer from Rajasthan Royals forward of final December’s public sale, was dismissed for simply six off seven balls towards his former group in the IPL 2026 conflict on the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Monday.
Samson arrived on the IPL amid immense buzz—not solely as a result of he has been broadly seen as a possible successor to MS Dhoni in the Chennai setup, but in addition on account of his current exploits on the T20 World Cup. After not that includes in the primary 5 matches, he struck three consecutive fifty-plus scores in the knockouts to assist India retain the title and was finally named Player of the Tournament.
RR vs CSK LIVE Score, IPL 2026
However, the script performed out otherwise on Monday, with Chennai fielding a facet with out Dhoni for the primary time in seven seasons. On a floor that had spent appreciable time beneath covers on account of rain in Guwahati, Jofra Archer examined Samson early with probing fuller deliveries round off stump.
After a tentative begin, Nandre Burger struck with a 140.2 kmph supply that crashed into Samson’s off stump. Just a shade fuller than size, the away-swinger beat the bat and left the CSK debutant undone.
Dismissed for simply six runs in seven balls, which comprised one boundary, this was the primary time in six seasons that Samson didn’t rating a fifty or extra in his opening IPL recreation. His final six scores learn: 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 assert two extra wickets, whereas Sandeep Sharma chipped in with one, as Chennai slumped to 38 for 4 in 5.3 overs throughout the powerplay.
