Sanju Samson Century Powers CSK to First IPL 2026 Win Over Delhi Capitals
Sanju Samson's century led CSK to a 23-run victory against Delhi Capitals.
Top Summary
- What happened: Sanju Samson scored a century (115 not out) as Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Capitals by 23 runs in IPL 2026.
- Why it matters: This victory marks CSK's first win of the season, bouncing back after a slow start.
- What changes: Sanju Samson surpassed MS Dhoni's record for the highest score by a CSK wicketkeeper in the IPL.
- Who is affected: CSK fans celebrate their team's first win, while Delhi Capitals face their second consecutive loss.
Samson's Century Leads CSK to Victory
Sanju Samson returned to form with a blistering century, propelling Chennai Super Kings to a 23-run victory over Delhi Capitals in Chennai on Saturday. This win marks CSK's first of IPL 2026.
Samson's innings of 115 not out off 56 balls included his fourth IPL hundred, his first for CSK, and the first hundred of IPL 2026.
Samson Thanks Ravi Shastri for Support
During a mid-innings interview, Samson expressed his gratitude to commentator Ravi Shastri.
"Feels great thanks to you (Ravi Shastri). I think you seem to be my lucky person to meet before every game, so please come before every game, sir. To be very honest, I think that, whatever many forms you are in, the matches you have won for your country, a couple of failures definitely put a lot of doubts in your mind,"
Samson credited Shastri for his support and jokingly requested his presence before every game.
Record-Breaking Performance
Samson's century not only secured the win but also saw him break records. He surpassed MS Dhoni's record of 84 for the highest score by a designated CSK wicketkeeper in the IPL, set in 2019.
He also became the second batter to score a century for three different IPL teams: Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Rajasthan Royals, and CSK. KL Rahul was the first to achieve this feat.
Match Highlights
Samson and Mhatre forged a formidable partnership, adding 113 runs for the second wicket. Mhatre contributed a valuable 59 off 36 balls.
CSK reached a total of 212 for two. Delhi Capitals were eventually bowled out for 189, with Jamie Overton taking 4/18.
Tristan Stubbs scored 60 for Delhi Capitals, but it wasn't enough to secure a win.
Delhi Capitals' Struggles Continue
This victory represents a crucial turnaround for Chennai Super Kings, while Delhi Capitals now face their second consecutive defeat of the season.
What to Watch Next
CSK will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches, while Delhi Capitals will need to regroup and address their batting and bowling concerns to avoid another loss. Cricket fans will be eager to see if Samson can maintain his stellar form.