Chennai Super Kings have made a horrible start in their IPL 2026 match against Rajasthan Royals on Monday (March 30).
RR put the Super Kings to bat after
winning the toss in Guwahati, and have crumbled their top order with some exceptional bowling.
RR vs CSK: Super Kings suffer quick blows
RR's pace bowlers dominated, bundling CSK to 23/3 after just 3.4 overs at a run rate of 6.27. Sanju Samson, making debut for CSK, failed to make an impact against his old team.
Nandre Burger cleaned up Samson, and then Jofra Archer took the wicket of CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Ayush Mhatre was the next to depart as he was gone for a golden duck. Sarfaraz Khan has been summoned in as Impact Player and the Super Kings are 41/4 after powerplay, as Matthew Short also departed after a paltry score.
Sanju Samson fails to make any Impact
It was not the best start for Sanju Samson in Chennai Super Kings colours as he got dismissed for just six runs. He got a streaky boundary in the slip cordon in Jofra Archer's bowling, but was then cleaned up by Nandre Burger as he completely missed a straight delivery.
Fans React to CSK's Batting Collapse
The fans were not happy with the performance as their star batters have failed to put up a show.
CSK crumbling, RR Pacers doing the initial damage
- kittyoberoi (@kittyobero61900) March 30, 2026
A fan made a sarcastic jeer to both Sanju and Ruturaj, after they both got dismissed for 6 each in the match.
Sanju Samson - 6(7)
- KhaaliDimag (@KhaliDimagOP) March 30, 2026
Ruturaj Gaikwad - 6(11)
Do bhai dono tabahi#RRvCSK pic.twitter.com/tLjKEPwBdi
A fan believes CSK need MS Dhoni, who has been ruled out for half of the season with an injury.
"I never get confidence when Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad bats. They will perform in few matches and fail in the most. CSK needs Dhoni more than Dhoni needs CSK," a fanwrote.
What's wrong with Ruturaj Gaikwad? He looked completely out of sorts from ball 1 throughout the inning. He lacks confidence and seems to be under pressure.
Is this because of the captaincy or something else ?- Luxe Crick (@LuxeCrick) March 30, 2026
Believe me he is the captain of CSK. Ruturaj Gaikwad is the most overrated batter in the history of cricket.
- MARCUS (@MARCUS907935) March 30, 2026
People compare him with the Prince of Indian cricket, Shubman Gill. pic.twitter.com/VVzLCYx91Q
The CSK fans already going restless, saying that Ruturaj Gaikwad is overrated, while Sanju Samson has received a bit less flak, especially after his T20 World Cup heroics.
