Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has said that opening batter Sanju Samson is currently operating at the peak of his powers, and that his sharp match awareness played a major role in Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) eight-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Pathan noted that Samson’s form had been underwhelming in the opening stretch of IPL 2026, with returns below par in his first three matches. However, he believes the change began from the very next game, where Samson started turning his performances around and has since become the leading run-scorer for CSK.
In the win against DC, Samson delivered the kind of innings that underlines a batter’s control and temperament. He remained unbeaten on 87 and, alongside Kartik Sharma, stitched a decisive 114-run stand that swung the contest in CSK’s favour. CSK ultimately chased down DC’s 156-run target with ease, reaching the required total in 17.3 overs, converting the platform Samson and Sharma built into a comfortable finish.
Pathan highlighted what he sees as Samson’s biggest strength right now: the clarity to know which bowlers to attack and which ones to treat with caution. He pointed out that Samson showed restraint against a bowler such as Lungi Ngidi, but once a less threatening option entered the attack, Samson adjusted quickly and made the most of the opportunity. Pathan described that ability to read match-ups as “outstanding,” stressing that it’s not just about shot-making, but about knowing when to shift gears.
The former all-rounder also spoke about Samson’s value within the CSK dressing room environment, suggesting that his role mirrors the standards set by experienced figures. Pathan referenced the impact MS Dhoni has had over the years—whether in guiding the captain or sharing counsel in the dressing room—and said Samson is contributing in a similar way, adding a steady presence beyond the boundary.
Just as importantly, Pathan praised Samson’s mindset of carrying responsibility and seeing the innings through to the end, especially in games where conditions make batting tricky. He said that finishing games consistently—rather than just getting starts—has become the defining feature of Samson’s current top-form period.
Pathan then turned his attention to Kartik Sharma, praising the variety and range in his shotplay. He singled out Kartik’s capacity to dominate the off-side, particularly against spin, and said the youngster reads ball-by-ball changes very well, even picking up the googly early. That early recognition, Pathan argued, helps make it difficult for bowlers to keep him under pressure during the middle overs.
Wrapping up his comments, Pathan added that Kartik has shown he can take on both spin and pace, and that the confidence he has gained from recent performances is clearly carrying into his current batting. He pointed to the quality of Kartik’s shots over cover against top-class spinners as evidence of the range he possesses, suggesting it could play a significant part in his continued growth as a batter.
