Chennai, April 4 (NationPress) Despite some initial skepticism regarding Sanju Samson's performance with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), head coach Stephen Fleming remains optimistic that the talented batter will find his rhythm soon. Samson's early performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 has faced criticism after he managed only 6 and 7 runs in his first two matches, especially following his prominent transfer from the Rajasthan Royals and his recent triumph in India's T20 World Cup victory.

Fleming, however, brushed aside concerns, affirming the seasoned batter’s capability to recover strongly.

"He’s not going to score runs every time he goes out to bat. This is T20 cricket, and he just had a bad day today. He’s training diligently and is in good form. When he hits his stride, he’s often a game-changer. Thus, two innings don’t indicate a significant issue," Fleming remarked following CSK’s defeat to Punjab Kings.

Samson's initial dismissals—first to Nandre Burger in Guwahati, and then to Xavier Bartlett at Chepauk—illustrate a challenging start, with just 13 runs across two innings. Nevertheless, there isn’t much anxiety within the CSK camp, as they trust his ability to rebound from slow beginnings.

While Samson garners considerable attention, the primary concern for CSK lies within their bowling attack. Even after posting a commendable 209/5, the team failed to defend the total as Punjab Kings chased it down effortlessly, aided by Priyansh Arya's explosive start and Shreyas Iyer's composed half-century.

Fleming acknowledged that the bowling unit could have performed better, but when probed about their auction strategy—particularly regarding the decision not to invest heavily in seasoned pacers—he was cautious with his responses.

"I’m trying to recall the auction dynamics concerning those names you mentioned. There was a vast list of bowlers we evaluated, some of whom were out of form at the time but are performing well now. I assure you, we considered everything thoroughly. However, the specifics escape me," he explained.

Queries regarding the balance of CSK’s revamped squad have also emerged, notably concerning the absence of specialist finishers. Nonetheless, Fleming believes the modern T20 landscape has transcended conventional roles.

"In today’s game, the concept of finishers is almost obsolete. From the very first ball, players are expected to maintain an aggressive pace. It’s not about building to the 16th over and then accelerating. Everyone is aiming to score heavily right from the outset. Run rates of 10, 11, or 12 are now the norm, eliminating those high peaks at the end of innings.

"This aggressive strategy aims for totals around 240. Therefore, we require players throughout the lineup who can play aggressively, and that’s exactly the type of team we have. Let’s not forget we have Dewald Brevis on the bench and one of the finest finishers in MS Dhoni. We have plenty of power, and I’m quite satisfied with the pace we can achieve," Fleming concluded.