Cricket experts, team management, and fans have cited several main reasons behind Sanju Samson’s (who left Rajasthan Royals to join Chennai Super Kings this year) flop in the first three matches of IPL 2026.
In the first three matches (against RR, PBKS, and RCB), his scores have been merely 6, 7, and 9 runs. The primary reasons behind this are as follows:
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Difficulty Settling into a New Franchise (Transition Phase): Sanju Samson was an integral part and captain of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for many years. Suddenly transitioning from there into the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) setup is a massive change. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming has also acknowledged that when you stay with one franchise for a long time, it takes a while to build coordination with new teammates and feel a sense of “belonging.”
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Heavy Pressure of the ₹18 Crore Trade and Expectations: CSK brought him into their squad for a hefty price tag of ₹18 crores. More importantly, fans and management are viewing him as the long-term wicketkeeper-batter replacement for MS Dhoni. The mental pressure of filling the shoes of a great player like Dhoni seems to be overpowering his performance right now.
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Body Language and Feeling Mentally ‘Disconnected’: During the matches, fans and experts have noticed that Samson looks a bit “disconnected” and frustrated at the crease. The aggression or energy he usually possesses is currently missing, which has also drawn significant criticism towards him on social media.
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The Old Problem of Inconsistency: It is true that Sanju Samson performed phenomenally for India in the T20 World Cup 2026 and even won ‘Player of the Tournament.’ However, his form in IPL history has always been full of ups and downs. Consistency has been a lingering challenge throughout his career.
In short, massive expectations, adapting to a new team environment, and the added pressure to prove himself are the core reasons for this early slump in his form. However, the CSK management has expressed full confidence in him, believing he will bounce back from this phase very soon.
