Krishnamachari Srikkanth's stern warning to Punjab Kings in IPL 2026; ‘same wicket where Sanju Samson made a comeback’
Sanju Samson, who played for Rajasthan Royals in IPL for 12 seasons, moved to CSK just before IPL 2026. In his first outing for CSK, Samson was cleaned up by Nandre Burger for 6 runs.
After a single digit score in his opening outing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has weighed on Sanju Samson to make a comeback at Chepauk, the same venue where he made a comeback in the T20 World Cup 2026 during India's triumphant campaign last month.
Samson, who played for Rajasthan Royals for 12 seasons in IPL and even led the franchise, moved to CSK just before IPL 2026 in one of the high-profile trade deals that also saw the duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran move to the Jaipur-based side. However, Samson stumbled at the start of his journey at CSK during their IPL 2026 opener against his former side.
Opening the innings with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Samson managed to play just seven balls for his six runs, before was cleaned up by South African Nandre Burger. Srikkanth emphasized on the Samson's familiarity with Chepauk urged the wicketkeeper-batter to take some time initially in the middle before playing his shots.
“It is the same wicket at Chepauk where Sanju Samson made a comeback in the T20 World Cup and won the Man of the Series,” Srikkanth said in his YouTube channel. "He is definitely going to play a smashing knock. It's the ideal wicket for him to come back to royal form.
“Sanju should go berserk after watching the initial four to five deliveries. I believe he will smash PBKS,” added the former India cricketer, who was a part of the historic 1983 World Cup-winning side. CSK host Punjab Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday in IPL 2026.
How Chepauk helped Sanju Samson in T20 WC?
With his form going downhill, Samson played just one out of India's first five games. He was included into the playing XI after Abhishek Sharma's lean run with the bat in the top order. It was at the same Chepauk where Samson started writing his own redemption story with a 15-ball 24 against Zimbabwe. Thereafter it was no looking back for Samson.
The Kerala batter scored a match-winning 97 not out against West Indies in a must-win encounter before his identical 89s against England (semifinals) and New Zealand (final) guided India to their third T20 World Cup title.
PM Modi hails Sanju Samson
Such was Samson's impact in the T20 World Cup 2026, even PM Narendra Modi couldn't stop praising the 31-year-old. Emphasizing on Samson's temperament under pressure, PM Modi said, “Today cricket season is going on, and for the people of Kerala, this is also something to learn. Like we often see in the performance of Sanju Samson, we saw Sanju Samson in the World Cup” while addressing Keralam Karyakartas.
“As the crunch situation came in the tournament, the knockout stage came, and his performance suddenly reached its peak. From start to finish, his focus, his confidence and his intensity kept increasing. This is the identity of a true player," added PM Modi.
Catch the live updates from IPL 2026 with the complete IPL 2026 Schedule and the IPL 2026 Points Table. Also, know who are currently leading the charts in IPL 2026 Orange Cap and IPL 2026 Purple Cap.
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