Sanju Samson broke his scoring drought with an unbeaten century, supported by effective bowling, as Chennai Super Kings clinched a 23-run victory over Delhi Capitals for their opening win in IPL 2026 on Saturday. Samson’s 115 not out off 56 deliveries, combined with Ayush Mhatre’s 59 off 36 balls in a 113-run second-wicket partnership, lifted CSK to 212-2. Delhi Capitals faltered against Jamie Overton’s 4-18, finishing at 189.
Tristan Stubbs contributed 60 in a determined half-century that prolonged DC’s effort.
This result gave Super Kings their first success of the campaign, while Capitals suffered their second consecutive loss.
Pursuing 213, Delhi began aggressively, reaching 61 in five overs via an opening partnership between KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka, who scored 41.
Nissanka’s exit slowed the momentum. After being dropped by Khaleel Ahmed off Anshul Kamboj, he edged the next delivery to Dewald Brevis at the boundary.
At 61-2 after 5.2 overs, DC remained competitive, but Chennai’s bowlers adjusted their approach.
Pacers Overton, Khaleel, and Kamboj targeted the pitch with short deliveries, generating bounce that restricted the batters and disrupted their timing.
Sameer Rizvi and Axar Patel were dismissed by such tactics, with Sarfaraz Khan taking an impressive diving catch at point to remove Patel.
Delhi relied on David Miller and Stubbs to mount a comeback, but Overton’s precise short ball disturbed Miller’s stumps.
Samson, however, was the standout performer in CSK’s success at Chepauk.
Opting to bat first, Samson delivered his maiden significant score for CSK, partnering with Mhatre in a 113-run stand over about 11 overs that showcased the young player’s talent.
This was Samson’s fourth IPL century, his first for Chennai, and the season’s initial ton.
The innings boosted confidence for Samson and the team among local supporters, fulfilling expectations with a commanding display.
Samson overcame earlier uncertainties in footwork and shot choices, regaining rhythm to dispatch deliveries across the ground.
Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad struggled to build momentum even during the powerplay, with the 62-run opening stand largely driven by Samson’s initiative.
Samson signaled his form early with consecutive boundaries off Mukesh Kumar, highlighted by a majestic six over extra cover against Kuldeep Yadav.
Luck aided Samson when dropped on 55 by Nissanka at long-off off Axar Patel.
The 31-year-old exploited the mistake, reaching his half-century in 26 balls—one more than Mhatre—and his century in 52 balls, accelerating CSK’s total.
Mhatre impressed with elegant shots before being retired out to introduce power-hitter Shivam Dube.
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