Sanju Samson finally had the monkey off his back. After a tense start to his IPL 2026 campaign with Chennai Super Kings, the wicketkeeper-batter was met by a surge of emotion at the end as teammates swarmed him with high-fives and hugs. Samson himself looked composed, wearing a wide smile after delivering the knock that sparked CSK’s first victory of the season—an impressive 23-run triumph over Delhi Capitals.
Samson had begun the year with scores of 6, 7 and 9 across CSK’s opening three matches, leaving expectations hanging in the balance. But he roared back in the most emphatic way, turning the tide with a brilliant century that helped CSK break their run of three consecutive defeats and finally get their account underway.
Traded from Rajasthan Royals before the season, Samson’s first major impact in CSK colours arrived after a difficult early stretch. His confidence had been building even before the IPL, with standout performances in India’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign at home in March, where he struck three half-centuries.
How CSK built and defended a winning total
- Asked to bat first, CSK were driven forward by Samson’s unbeaten 115 off 56 balls, while Ayush Mhatre contributed 59 from 36 deliveries.
- The pair formed a decisive second-wicket partnership worth 113 runs, setting a platform that gave CSK plenty of momentum.
- CSK finished on 212 for 2, a total that placed immediate pressure on Delhi Capitals with the chase still needing a steady acceleration.
- Delhi Capitals struggled under sustained pressure from Jamie Overton, who produced a match-turning spell of 4 wickets for 18.
- Overton’s burst ultimately derailed the chase, and Delhi were bowled out for 189.
After being awarded Player of the Match, Samson said the win meant a great deal, highlighting the “trust” the team showed him and how everything had clicked at the right moments. He also pointed to the continuity within the set-up, noting that it never felt like a completely new franchise environment, and mentioned that even after losing three games, the squad held a meeting of just under a minute on match day.
Samson further reflected on his own form, admitting he had “failed a lot” and that the mind can wander at times. He stressed that the solution was to focus on fundamentals—getting the basics right—and credited supportive sessions with the coaching staff for helping him settle.
The century was not only Samson’s fourth in IPL cricket, but also his first for CSK and the first hundred of the IPL 2026 season. Just as importantly for the home crowd, it played a key role in restoring belief after CSK’s start to the campaign.
In his post-match remarks, Samson underscored the importance of partnerships and praised Mhatre’s composure and maturity during a pivotal stand of 113 runs in just over 11 overs. He also explained that his celebration was dedicated to head coach Stephen Fleming, acknowledging the challenge Fleming faces and saying he wanted to dedicate the moment to him.
