Chennai Super Kings talisman Sanju Samson reached a landmark in T20 cricket on Saturday, becoming the fourth Indian to hit 400 or more sixes in the format. The milestone came during CSK’s IPL 2026 encounter against Delhi Capitals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, where Samson also marked a major personal moment—his fourth IPL century and the first since moving to the yellow jersey last year through a trade from Rajasthan Royals.
Samson struck 401st six of his T20 career, completing the tally with four maximums in the innings. With that hit, he joined Rohit Sharma (554), Virat Kohli (440), and Suryakumar Yadav (421) on an elite list of Indian batters who have crossed the 400-six mark in T20s. Even with the numbers tied to overall output, Samson’s timing stood out: his six-hitting rate of 1.26 per innings is the quickest among the quartet, ahead of Suryakumar (1.25), Rohit (1.22), and Kohli (1.10).
At Chepauk, Samson looked like a batter rediscovering his best rhythm. After three difficult outings, he launched CSK back into contention with an unbeaten 115 off 56 balls, striking at 205.36. His innings featured 11 boundaries and four sixes, underlining both authority and control as he carried his bat through the chase he was building for his team.
While this was his first century for CSK, Samson has now recorded four IPL hundreds in total. He previously notched two for Rajasthan Royals—one in the 2019 season and another in 2021—and one for Delhi Capitals in 2017.
For CSK, the foundation was laid through a standout partnership: Samson and Ayush Mhatre combined for a 113-run stand, which ranks as the second-highest for CSK versus DC for any wicket in IPL history. Only the 141-run opening association between Conway and Gaikwad in Delhi in 2023 has been better.
Samson’s innings also carried clear evidence of match-up advantage. Against pace and spin, he looked comfortable, but the biggest impact came versus fast bowling. He scored 84 runs from 39 deliveries at a strike rate of 215.4, including 11 fours and three maximums. When the bowlers turned to spin, he still maintained momentum, adding 31 from 17 balls at a strike rate of 182.3, with four boundaries and a six.
Turning to the game itself, Delhi Capitals won the toss and chose to bowl first. Ruturaj Gaikwad started cautiously, scoring 15 off 18 balls, yet the early phase still produced an 62-run opening partnership alongside Samson. Even with Gaikwad looking a touch off the pace, the Kerala-born batter played with the same fluency that helped India win the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award at the recent T20 World Cup.
After that, CSK’s middle overs continued to flow. Samson added another 113 runs with Ayush Mhatre, who contributed 59 off 36 balls, striking three fours and four sixes. A lively burst from Shivam Dube followed, with a 20* off 10 balls featuring two fours and a six. Together, that momentum carried CSK to 212/2 in their 20 overs, with Delhi receiving a key breakthrough from Axar Patel, who finished with figures of 1/39.
