![Fans react to Samson's failure vs PBKS [Source: JioHotstar]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1775226394196_SanjuSamsonCSKvsPBKS.jpg?type=hq)
Fans react to Samson's failure vs PBKS [Source: JioHotstar]
Sanju Samson’s batting struggles in IPL 2026 continued on Friday night as the Chennai Super Kings returned to the Chepauk Stadium to face the Punjab Kings after a loss against the Rajasthan Royals.
Following a blockbuster trade between the Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals to exchange Sanju Samson for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, the former RR captain faced his old team in the season opener. However, much like how CSK’s IPL 2025 went, the team got bundled for 127, and Samson only scored 6 off 7 balls.
After getting brutally called out for his CSK debut, the World Cup hero, Samson, once again failed to deliver at home against the Punjab Kings, getting 7 off 7 and nicking Xavier Bartlett to the wicketkeeper. The fans, who expect big things from Samson, have once again reacted in frustration, while also calling out the Royals for scamming them in the trade deal.
“Real form”: Neitizens react to Samson’s failure vs PBKS
At the back of Samson’s 97*, 89 and 89 in the final three innings of the T20 World Cup, to help India lift the trophy, the sensations, heading into IPL 2026, were positive around the batter. The Chepauk crowd was raring to watch the opener as MS Dhoni’s long-term successor.
However, as it has always been the case with Samson — among the fans, he is as good as his last innings. The two successive single-digit scores mean the public on the internet got impatient and didn’t hold back from using harsh words towards the player. Below are some of the fan reactions.
Also Read: CSK’s Home Pride On The Line As Punjab Kings Chase 4-In-A-Row In Chennai
Samson looks to find his feet at CSK
Samson’s big-money trade to CSK meant the pressure was always going to be high on the top-order batter. Especially with his successful time as a batter in RR, where he got 4219 runs in 150 innings at an average of 31.96 and a strike rate of 140.53. He is the all-time leading scorer for the Royals.
Additionally, as a South Indian player representing the Chennai Super Kings, there is an added responsibility on him to live up to the expectations. After his arrival, CSK has also made tweaks to their line-up to give him the preferred slot at the top, pushing the star youngster, Ayush Mhatre, down to 3.
After only managing 13 off 14 in the first two games, Samson will be up against CSK’s southern rivals, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, up next. A notable performance to get his CSK journey underway would get the fans back on his side, cheering him again.
CSK eyes big season after squad overhaul
Apart from the arrival of Sanju Samson, the Chennai Super Kings squad is also bolstered by Ruturaj Gaikwad’s return to full fitness and Ayush Mhatre’s emergence in the Mumbai and India U19 teams. They have also let go of underperformers to bring in some young and exciting talents like Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, with Dewald Brevis already in the mix.
After finishing 10th last season, the squad overhaul has strengthened the side, but how they convert the potential into performances is to be seen with a long season ahead. If they get going and bag crucial points, the CSK fans could be looking at the dawn of a new era for the Men In Yellow.
Also Read: Watch- Chepauk Goes Crazy For Ruturaj Gaikwad As CSK Plays First Home Match Of IPL 2026
.jpg?type=mq "Chepauk Goes Crazy")
