Chennai Super Kings’ head coach Stephen Fleming has played down concerns around form, highlighting the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket while strongly backing new recruit Sanju Samson to come good in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026.

Samson, who arrived at Chennai Super Kings in a high-profile trade from Rajasthan Royals, has had a tough start to his campaign. The wicketkeeper-batter has now registered three underwhelming performances in a row, sparking massive discussion surrounding his form. Fleming was quick to dismiss any panic within the camp. Speaking after CSK's match against RR, he highlighted how quickly fortunes can shift in the shortest format of the game. According to him, a single impactful innings can completely alter a player’s trajectory.

"We saw in the T20 World Cup what can happen, and when a batter gets on a run, he's one guy who can be very dominant. He's one guy who can be very dangerous. So there will be nothing but support and confidence from our side to Sanju as he forges his path in yellow," Fleming said at the press conference.

"It's difficult when you've been at a franchise for some time, and even though he probably feels pretty comfortable, there's still an element of belonging. He's going through the process of connecting with this team, and the team has got five or six changes, so it's not like it's a settled side," he said.

"So there's a little bit of work to be done off the field, which we're doing, just to make the bonds a bit tighter. But he's fine. He's fitted in really well. He's desperate for some runs and to contribute, along with Ruturaj and the other senior players," Fleming said.

CSK’s decision to bring Samson into their squad ahead of the season was one of the most talked-about moves of the transfer window. The franchise made a major sacrifice, releasing experienced names like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to secure Samson.