CHENNAI: The Chennai Super Kings atmosphere has returned in a big way. With Sanju Samson firing, the pace unit finding its rhythm, and the home crowd finally tasting victory again after six straight defeats at Chepauk, CSK made a statement in their Saturday clash against Delhi Capitals. The win came by 23 runs and marked CSK’s first triumph of the season.
Even so, the chase did not come easily. Tristan Stubbs looked in complete control late in the innings and brought the equation down to 32 needed from the final two overs. That pressure was stopped by medium-pacer Jamie Overton, who produced the breakthrough at the crucial moment, finishing with figures of 4/18 and removing Stubbs before Delhi could fully close the gap.
Earlier, Delhi were forced to work hard to get on top after CSK’s early momentum was threatened by a solid start from KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka. Their opening partnership of 60 gave the visitors a real chance to take charge. However, a collapse then swung the match in CSK’s favour, with pacers Khaleel Ahmed, Gurjapneet Singh, Anshul Kamboj and Overton combining to drag Delhi back to 76/4. Sarfaraz Khan’s exceptional catch at point also stood out, as it sent Axar Patel back and further disrupted Delhi’s plans.
Samson’s Chepauk breakthrough and CSK’s platform
The game will largely be remembered for Samson’s first major step towards becoming a “chettan” Super King at Chepauk. He struck a brilliant unbeaten 115 off 56 balls, and his 113-run stand for the second wicket with Ayush Mhatre (59 off 36) built a platform that allowed CSK to set a challenging total.
- Samson began with a measured approach, not rushing into slogging and instead looking to time the ball and wait for openings.
- His half-century arrived off 26 deliveries, yet at that stage he had not struck a single six—showing how he was picking gaps and rotating the strike rather than chasing boundaries with brute force.
- As the innings progressed, he kept the scoreboard moving with shots guided by wristwork and precise placement, ultimately reaching 115* from 56 balls.
- That century was also a milestone for CSK wicketkeepers in the IPL, being the first such hundred for the franchise.
- For context, the previous highest by an IPL wicketkeeper playing for CSK came from MS Dhoni, who made 84* against RCB in Bengaluru on April 21, 2019.
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad made 15 off 18 balls and struggled to accelerate the run-rate on his own, but Samson’s innings carried the home side and kept the momentum flowing at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Lives, momentum shifts, and the late scare
Samson did have one escape. At 52, Pathum Nissanka dropped what looked like a straightforward chance at long-off off Axar Patel. That reprieve seemed to settle Samson further, as he continued to play with confidence and kept finding ways to score.
At the other end, Mhatre provided the perfect partner. The younger batter delivered 59 off 36 balls, and during the middle overs the two batters shifted gears smoothly, landing big hits exactly when CSK needed them most.
There was also a missed opportunity for Mhatre’s innings to end sooner. After he had crossed his fifty, David Miller failed to take a chance at long-on, which would have been a major turning point but instead allowed Mhatre to keep building.
Mhatre then had to deal with Mukesh Sharma’s slower deliveries and Lungi Ngidi’s wide yorkers. In a two-over spell where CSK managed only 12 runs, the forward momentum dipped slightly. That affected the rhythm of the innings and led the team management to retire him out, bringing Shivam Dube in to continue alongside Samson as the captain completed his century with a boundary.
With Samson’s commanding hundred and CSK’s ability to regain control late, the innings set up a defendable total. And when Delhi threatened to surge in the final overs, Overton’s key wicket ensured CSK held their nerve to seal the 23-run victory.
