Published: April 11, 2026 at 11:58 pm
After three below par performances with the bat, Sanju Samson chose to make it count for Chennai Super Kings against Delhi Capitals as he struck a timely unbeaten century to help his side finally post a win in the 2026 IPL.
Sanju, who was in brilliant form during the business end of the T20 World Cup, had fared badly for Chennai Super Kings in the earlier three games. But on Saturday on home turf, Sanju chose to repay the faith imposed in him by the franchise.
Sanju’s 115 helped Chennai finally post a healthy score on the board and give their bowlers something to defend. Chennai made 212 for two and then bowled out Delhi for 189 to notch up a 23-run win and their first points of the season. The win lifted them to the ninth position ahead of Kolkata Knight Riders.
“Really means a lot. The trust they (CSK franchise) showed in me, it was a very responsible feeling that I need to put in a show and say we are still in the tournament. Not easy to start off at a different franchise but it never felt like it. It was like coming to a second home. We just had a meeting of 50 seconds today (despite three losses) – that connects with the kind of person I am,” said Sanju, who was named the Player of the Match.
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“I failed a lot. Failing a lot tells you how to come back. Mentally, you think if you need to go hard or change the game-plan. You need to bring your body and mind to basics. Basics are to get in a mentally different zone. We need to come back to timing the ball, and watching it come out nicely from the bowler’s hand. Very happy things have come (out) nicely today. Very important to have a great partnership. It never looked like he (Mhatre) was coming out of U-19 – he was so calculative. Shows the character he has. (On his hundred celebration) That was for Fleming. I know how hard it can get, leading a franchise for five years. Just wanted to dedicate this (innings) to Fleming,” Sanju said.
For Delhi, who had a heart-breaking one-run loss in their previous game, nothing went their way. If it was Sanju and Ayush Mhatre who defied their bowling attack, Jamie Overton and Anshul Kamboj decimated their famed batting.
Jamie Overton proved too hot to handle as he bagged four for 18
“We started well but after the powerplay, we lost quick wickets and that broke the momentum. The fielding was the difference in the match. Wickets falling in clusters made it tough to regain momentum. Batters did a decent job but overall, our fielding was a let-down. Want to credit the bowlers, to keep them to that score, despite them having set batters on a good wicket. A couple of dropped catches, had we taken them, it might have been different. Pitch did not change. It was a little more difficult for them but they bowled pretty well,” said Delhi captain Axar Patel.
Sanju gives Chennai a flying start
Asked to bat first, Chennai openers Sanju and Ruturaj Gaikwad gave their side a flying start by adding 62 off 38 balls. However, the bulk of the scoring was done by Sanju, who contributed 46 off 20 balls, while Gaikwad struggled in his 18-ball 15.
Gaikwad’s departure proved to be a blessing for Chennai as Sanju and Mhatre then took charge of the proceedings. The duo added 113 off 67 balls with both of them showing their aggressive intent. Mhatre contributed 59 off 36 balls while Sanju scored 52 off 31 balls.
Ayush Mhatre shared a 113-run partnership for the second wicket with Sanju Samson
Mhatre retired out in the 18th over and Shivam Dube joined Sanju. The duo added 37 off 15 balls for the unbroken third wicket. Sanju got his 115 off 56 balls with 15 fours and four sixes, while Dube remained not out on 20.
Overton and Kamboj decimate Delhi
Delhi openers Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul got their side off to a bright start with a 61-run partnership off just 32 balls but once both of them departed the innings derailed. Tristan Stubbs waged a lone battle with a fine 60 off 38 balls with four fours and three sixes but he lacked support from the others.
Jamie Overton had a ball under lights as he bagged four for 18 in four overs and Kamboj took three for 35 as Delhi were bowled out for 189.
Chennai Super Kings’ Anshul Kamboj bagged three for 35 to restrict Delhi Capitals to 189. Pics: BCCI
“Very happy. Good to finally get a win in front of our home crowd. Couple of games have not quite gone my way. Feeling good since December in the Big Bash. Have been bowling good gas and have been trying to keep it going. Was just trying to hit the top of the stumps this day. Bit tacky (pitch), and some felt like it slipped through, some jumped up. Tried to reduce their cross-batted shots,” said Overton.
Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 212 for two in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 115 not out, Ayush Mhatre 59, Shivam Dube 20 not out) beat Delhi Capitals 189 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 41, Tristan Stubbs 60; Jamie Overton 4/18, Anshul Kamboj 3/35).
