Sanju Samson made a statement for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, recording an unbeaten 115 in his fourth outing for the franchise. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 15 fours and four sixes off 56 balls to become the first keeper to notch a hundred for CSK. He reached three figures in 52 deliveries and also surpassed MS Dhoni’s mark for the most runs in an innings by a designated CSK wicketkeeper in the IPL, with his 84 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2019 now eclipsed.
Samson’s milestone was also historic beyond CSK. He became only the second batter to register a century for three different IPL franchises, having previously made hundreds for Delhi Daredevils (later Delhi Capitals) and Rajasthan Royals as well as CSK. KL Rahul was the first to achieve this feat, doing it across Punjad Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals.
After a sluggish start to the IPL 2026 campaign, Samson’s blazing hundred set the tone, while Ayush Mhatre added another encouraging contribution with a fluent half-century. In Chennai on Saturday, CSK posted a challenging 212 for two against Delhi Capitals, with Samson’s unbeaten 115 off 56 balls—featuring 15 fours and four sixes—forming the backbone of one of the better batting displays this season for the home side.
Asked to bat first, Samson played his first meaningful innings in a Yellow jersey and quickly found rhythm, building an excellent second-wicket partnership with Mhatre. Together they accumulated 113 runs in just a little over 11 overs, giving Chennai a platform to press forward.
The knock was Samson’s fourth IPL century overall, his maiden hundred for CSK, and the first of the 2026 edition. A score of that magnitude mattered both for him personally and for CSK’s effort to renew belief among their “Anbu-den” faithfuls, and he delivered it in front of home supporters.
It also followed the familiar pattern of a typical Samson innings. Earlier in the season, the Kerala batter had looked uncertain in terms of footwork and how he read field placements, but this time the recognizable version of Samson returned. His feet, eyes and hands all clicked back into sync, allowing the striking options to come naturally and the ball to be driven and struck in all directions.
Despite Samson’s acceleration, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad could not ramp up his tempo, and the 62-run opening wicket stand was largely shaped by Samson’s attacking intent rather than Gaikwad’s pace through the early overs.
