Sanju Samson’s early chapter with Chennai Super Kings has not produced the kind of impact his move deserved, but Irfan Pathan insists the franchise’s long-range plan around him is still very much intact. Samson was brought to CSK from Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026 for a league fee of INR 18 crore, yet he has managed just 13 runs across his first two innings for the five-time champions. With CSK losing both of their opening fixtures, attention quickly turns to their next assignment against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday—an encounter Pathan believes could be a turning point.
Key takeaways
- Sanju Samson has scored only 13 runs in his first two innings for Chennai Super Kings since joining ahead of IPL 2026.
- CSK have suffered defeats in both of their opening matches, raising the stakes for the game versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday.
- Samson was transferred from Rajasthan Royals to CSK for a league fee of INR 18 crore.
- Irfan Pathan expects Samson to score runs in Bengaluru, suggesting CSK’s longer-term vision for him is beginning to fit.
- Pathan highlighted Virat Kohli’s early-season form, including an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in RCB’s opener.
Pathan backs CSK’s post-Dhoni thinking
Speaking ahead of the high-profile meeting, Pathan argued that Samson’s arrival was never meant to be limited to filling a short-term batting role. In his view, CSK have looked at Samson as a potential figure who could carry part of the franchise identity after MS Dhoni’s era ends.
Pathan pointed out that even though runs have not come in the opening two matches, the context matters—especially because the pitch conditions have improved compared to what many expected early on. The former India all-rounder felt this is precisely why the move should be judged through a future lens rather than only through immediate output.
Why the Bengaluru fixture matters
Pathan also linked his confidence to the specific next game in Bengaluru, saying he expects Samson to make an impression at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The belief is simple: a fresh venue can provide a different rhythm to a batter settling into a new setup, and that kind of innings in a prominent match can quickly shift perceptions.
So far, Samson’s returns for CSK have been 6 and 7—numbers that are modest by any IPL standard. However, Pathan’s stance is that Bengaluru offers both a new setting and a different tempo to the season, which could help Samson convert opportunity into runs.
Kohli’s early impact adds pressure to CSK
While focusing on Samson, Pathan also raised the spotlight on Virat Kohli, noting that the RCB captain has already made a strong statement this season. In RCB’s opening match of IPL 2026, Kohli struck an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, hitting at a strike rate of 181.58. His innings included five fours and five sixes.
Pathan stressed that Kohli’s impact has looked immediate and that his movement in the field, along with his running between the wickets, remains a major threat. In other words, even if opposition bowlers target him with plans built around age or pace, Pathan believes Kohli still carries the same high-tempo approach that can exhaust fielding sides.
What both teams face at the Chinnaswamy
With CSK aiming to avoid a third consecutive defeat, the Bengaluru contest becomes a critical test early in the campaign. RCB, on the other hand, arrive with better momentum, and Kohli’s form gives them a clear advantage in the batting confidence department.
For Samson, Pathan’s backing is now an added weight on what comes next—because if he delivers in Bengaluru, it could provide the kind of statement innings CSK were searching for when they decided to plan for their post-Dhoni identity around him.
