Sanju Samson has not settled in CSK!! Stephen Fleming drops bombshell on big signing's IPL 2026 horror

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a forgettable start to their IPL 2026 campaign, and one of their biggest concerns has been the form of their star signing, Sanju Samson. Even with the pressure building and three low scores already, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming continues to show full trust in Sanju Samson.

The Indian wicketkeeper-batter was the marquee signing for Chennai Super Kings, who was traded from Rajasthan Royals before the season in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.

Stephen Fleming backs struggling Sanju Samson in IPL 2026

Sanju Samson was expected to anchor the batting unit. But in the first three matches, things haven’t gone his way, scoring 6, 7, and 9 runs in his three innings so far this season. The Kerala star’s most recent outing against RCB during CSK’s 43-run loss in Bengaluru raised even more eyebrows.

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Despite Samson’s poor form, Fleming had defended their poster boy and said that he is desperate to do well and is just one good inning away from hitting top form. The head coach cited how quickly T20 cricket can change while stressing Samson can, any time, play a match-winning knock.

Stephen Fleming said at the post-match press conference, "He is desperate for some runs and to contribute, along with Ruturaj; T20 can change quickly. We saw in the T20 World Cup what can happen—when a batter gets on a run, he is one guy that can be very dominant, one guy that can be very dangerous, so there will be nothing but support and confidence from our side to Sanju as he forges his path in yellow.”

Sanju Samson's big move comes with big adjustments

This is Samson’s first season away from the Rajasthan Royals after playing for them for so many seasons, and Fleming feels the shift has been difficult for the Kerala star. The coach feels that settling into a new franchise, understanding the culture, the dressing room, and the routines takes time, even for experienced players, and that’s something similar happening with Samson.

He noted, “It’s difficult when you’ve been at a franchise for some time, and even though he probably feels pretty comfortable, there’s still an element of belonging. He’s going through the process of connecting with this team, and the team has got five or six changes, so it’s not like it’s a settled side.”

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Fleming confident better days will come for CSK and Sanju Samson

CSK is already going through a transition. With five to six new faces in the squad, the coach has insisted that the team is not fully settled. Fleming admitted that the group is still working on building stronger connections both on and off the field, and Samson is still trying to settle.

Fleming signed off by saying, “So, there’s a little bit of work to be done off the field, which we’re doing, just to make the bonds a bit tighter. But he’s fine. He’s fitted in really well. He’s desperate for some runs and to contribute, along with Ruturaj and the other senior players.”

Notably, Chennai Super Kings remain bottom of the IPL 2026 points table with zero wins from three matches. They will next face Delhi Capitals on April 11 in at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.