Sanju Samson’s underwhelming start to the IPL 2026 campaign took another dismal turn at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Despite entering the tournament on the back of his World Cup heroics, the Chennai Super Kings batter managed just a run-a-ball seven before being dismissed by Punjab Kings’ Xavier Bartlett.

After dispatching Bartlett for a boundary, Samson’s flourish was short-lived. Attempting to manufacture room against a fuller delivery, he was undone by late movement; the ball straightened to catch a thin outside edge, safely landing in the gloves of Prabhsimran Singh.

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His exit leaves CSK in a precarious position against a Punjab Kings side that has now won six of their last seven encounters against the Yellow Army. Having already suffered a heavy opening defeat to Rajasthan, Chennai desperately needed a meaningful knock from Samson. Instead, his departure forces Ruturaj Gaikwad and young Ayush Mhatre to anchor a difficult rescue mission. (With inputs from Agencies)