Sanju Samson expressed his happiness at playing in front of the Chennai crowd at the M Chidambaram Stadium after the Super Eight match against Zimbabwe in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Samson said he felt the love and support from the fans right from the airport, describing the supporters as passionate and special.
India registered a comfortable 72-run win over Zimbabwe in their Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday, February 26. Samson, who replaced Rinku Singh in the playing eleven, opened the innings with Abhishek Sharma. The right-handed batsman scored 24 runs in just 15 balls, which included one four and two sixes.
This is the first time I am coming to Chennai – Sanju Samson
In a video shared by BCCI on its official website, Sanju Samson said that it was his first visit to the city after being traded to Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He said that the energy from the fans is always special and described himself as lucky.
Samson said, “Yes, I think after business, this is the first time I am coming to Chennai. Right from the airport, I can feel that special love. Normally, we come here, because Kerala and Chennai are very close.”
“So we come often and I feel that energy every time. I’m lucky to be a part of such great and passionate fans in Chennai,” he said.
More than happiness, it is an additional responsibility – Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson said that having so many fans cheering also brings additional responsibility on the field. The wicketkeeper-batsman said he was really happy with the support and added that he was looking forward to meeting the fans again soon.
Samson concluded, “Very happy. More than happiness, it’s an added responsibility to have so many people cheering you on. I think there’s an added extra responsibility to really entertain them. So yes, I’m very happy. We’ll meet soon.”
From Sanju Samson,
to chennai#TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup | #meninblue | #INDvZIM | @IamSanjuSamson https://t.co/a7ENoY7akv
– BCCI (@BCCI) 28 February 2026
Rajasthan Royals (RR) traded Samson to Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2026 season. CSK will play their home matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the venue which will serve as Samson’s home ground in the IPL for as long as he is with the Chennai-based franchise.
Sanju Samson has played only two matches in T20 World Cup 2026
Sanju Samson has participated in only two matches so far in the T20 World Cup 2026. He lost his place as first-choice wicketkeeper after a poor performance in the home series against New Zealand, where he scored just 46 runs in five matches.
Samson returned to the playing eleven against Namibia after Abhishek missed the game due to illness. He made a good start in that match but could not convert it into a big score. He scored 22 runs in eight balls at a strike rate of 275, which included one four and three sixes.
Failing to convert good starts into goals often works against Samson. Despite making his T20I debut in 2015, this pattern has affected his chances of securing a regular place in the playing eleven over the years. In his international career spanning over a decade, Samson has played only 59 T20I matches.
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