Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Mar 30: Sanju Samson endured a disappointing debut for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) against Rajasthan Royals (RR), managing just six runs off seven deliveries in their IPL clash on Monday.
Samson was dismissed early in the second over, bowled by Nandre Burger, as CSK suffered an early collapse. The failure also brought an end to Samson’s remarkable streak of scoring fifty-plus runs in the opening match of every IPL season since 2020.
From IPL 2020 to 2025, Samson had consistently delivered strong starts, including scores of 74 (vs CSK, 2020), 119 (vs Punjab Kings, 2021), 55 (vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2022), 55 (vs SRH, 2023), 82* (vs Lucknow Super Giants, 2024), and 66 (vs SRH, 2025). Notably, all those performances came while representing Rajasthan Royals.
However, facing his former team in his CSK debut, Samson failed to replicate that form, marking the end of his impressive opening-day run.
Meanwhile, CSK’s top order crumbled under pressure as Nandre Burger and Jofra Archer dismantled the batting line-up. None of the top four batters crossed the six-run mark, with Ayush Mhatre falling for a golden duck.
The absence of Dewald Brevis in the playing XI appeared to weaken CSK’s batting depth, leaving players like Shivam Dube with the responsibility to stabilise the innings.
With early wickets falling in their opening game, it remains to be seen whether CSK can recover and post a competitive total.