Chennai Super Kings (CSK) registered their first win of the IPL 2026 as they defeated Delhi Capitals by a margin of 23 runs. The credit of the win was definitely reserved for Sanju Samson, as he even won the Player of the Match. He finally performed after a series of underwhelming innings in the first three games. He slammed his first century for CSK in this game. With this superb innings, he has become just the second player in history to achieve a big record.
Sanju Samson has scored four centuries in the IPL now. Two of those are for Rajasthan Royals, while scoring one each for DC and CSK. He has now become only the second player in IPL history to score centuries for three different franchises. KL Rahul is the only other player to do so, having slammed tons for Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and DC.
Sanju Samson slammed 115* from 56 deliveries. His innings was studded with 15 boundaries and four massive sixes.
“I think how much ever form you are in, how much ever matches you have won for your country, a couple of failures definitely put a lot of doubts in your mind,” Samson said in the mid-innings break.
“But I just wanted to go back and do my basics and believe in myself and just stick to my scoring patterns, actually. So a lot of thoughts came, I think, should I go harder in the start, or should I change my game plan? But I definitely want to stick to what was working, and luckily it came off beautifully today,” he added.
CSK Beat DC By 23 Runs
Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad got CSK off to a great start, as they hit 62 for the first wicket. Ruturaj struggled as he got out for just 18 runs. However, Ayush Mhatre joined Samson and the duo slammed the DC bowlers all around the park. They hit a stand of 113 runs, with Mhatre slamming 59, before he was retired out.
However, it was Samson who stole the show, as he remained not out on 115. This was his first century for CSK, and this also made him the only CSK wicketkeeper to score a century in the IPL.
In response, DC were bundled out for 183 runs. They got off to a good start, but then started to lose wickets at regular intervals. Only, Tristan Stubbs stood tall with 60 runs. Jamie Overton starred for CSK with the ball, as he finished with figures of 4/18. Anshul Kamboj also picked up three wickets.
