Sanju Samson at Chepauk: CSK star with Lowest IPL Return at New Home

Sanju Samson is undoubtedly one of the most naturally gifted stroke-makers in the Indian Premier League (IPL). When he is in full flow, clearing boundaries seems effortless, and he has built a reputation as a massive match-winner for his ex-employer Rajasthan Royals.

Now he plays for CSK this season. However, even the best in the business have their weak spots. For Samson, that weak spot is firmly located in Chennai, the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium, popularly known as Chepauk.

Chepauk has proven to be a fortress that Sanju just can't seem to breach. Let's take a closer look at the numbers that define his struggles at this historic venue.

Sanju Samson at Chepauk

When we look at the statistics, the picture is quite surprising for a batsman of Samson's caliber. Here is his

track record in IPL games played at Chepauk:

Innings: 6

Runs: 66

Average: 11.0

Strike Rate: 100

To put this into perspective, an average of 11.0 is his lowest at any IPL venue where he has batted a minimum of five times. Furthermore, a strike rate of exactly 100 is far below his career standard, showing that he isn't just getting out early, he is actively struggling to get the scoreboard ticking while he is at the crease.

The spinners grip the ball well on this surface, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have historically built their bowling attacks to exploit these exact conditions. The lack of pace forces batsmen to manufacture their own power, leading to mistimed shots and early dismissals.

As the current IPL season rolls on with plenty of crucial games left, overcoming this mental and technical hurdle will be vital. Chennai Super Kings, his own team, who will be desperately praying he turns things around. If the Super Kings are going to push for the title, they need their Opener-Keeper firing on all cylinders, regardless of the venue.