Chennai Super Kings looked like champions in IPL 2026 on Saturday as Sanju Samson drove the performance, marking a landmark personal feat along the way. Samson struck his first IPL hundred for CSK at the Chepauk Stadium against Delhi Capitals, becoming the first batter in the league’s history to register centuries for three different franchises. In the process, he rescued his tournament form after three disappointing outings with an unbeaten 115 off 56 balls—an explosive knock featuring 11 fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 205.36.
Key takeaways
- Sanju Samson’s 115* at Chepauk was the first IPL century for him in Chennai colours.
- He became the inaugural IPL player to score hundreds for three separate franchises.
- Ayush Mhatre contributed 59 off 36 balls and was retired out by CSK after the third delivery of the 18th over.
- CSK posted 212/2 in 20 overs, with Shivam Dube striking 20* off 10 balls to close strongly.
- Delhi Capitals won the toss and chose to bowl first, with Axar Patel taking 1/39.
Samson’s historic hundred and CSK’s big platform
Samson’s achievement places him alongside elite names in terms of franchise milestones: in his four IPL hundreds to date, he has scored two for Rajasthan Royals (in the 2019 and 2021 seasons) and one for Delhi Capitals (in 2017), before adding the CSK hundred in 2026. After getting his innings moving again, the CSK captain delivered a powerful finishing burst that lifted the home side to a commanding total.
After settling in, Samson combined with Ayush Mhatre for a 113-run partnership. Mhatre struck 59 off 36 deliveries, finding the fence three times and clearing the ropes four times in his time at the crease. CSK’s momentum didn’t stall after that stand either—Shivam Dube played a fast cameo of 20* from just 10 balls, striking two boundaries and hitting one six as Chennai reached 212/2 in their full quota.
Delhi’s bowling effort yielded a key breakthrough through Axar Patel, who finished with figures of 1/39. One of the most talked-about moments of the innings, however, came when Mhatre was retired out after the third ball of the 18th over, making him the first player to be retired out in IPL 2026. The decision immediately drew strong reactions online, with supporters and critics debating whether CSK had made the right call given the late-overs options available.
Numbers behind the innings: sixes, partnerships and match context
Beyond the century, Samson continued to stack T20 milestones. He completed 400 sixes in the format, becoming the fourth Indian to reach the marker after Rohit Sharma (554), Virat Kohli (441), and Suryakumar Yadav (442). He now sits on 401 sixes in T20 cricket overall.
CSK’s Samson–Mhatre stand also carried record weight. The 113-run partnership is the second-highest for Chennai against Delhi Capitals for any wicket in IPL history, only behind the 141-run opening alliance between Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad for the first wicket against Delhi in 2023.
Samson’s innings was sharp against both types of bowlers. Versus pace, he scored 84 runs from 39 balls, striking at 215.4, with 11 fours and three sixes. Against spin, he added 31 runs off 17 deliveries at 182.3, including four boundaries and one six.
Chasing the target, Delhi Capitals had started the match on the front foot in terms of selection, winning the toss and opting to bowl first. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who opened alongside Samson, managed only 15 off 18 balls and looked out of rhythm during a 62-run opening stand. Still, Samson’s innings showed the same confidence that helped him earn the Player of the Tournament award at the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
