Summary of this article
Sanju Samson scored his first century of the season
He brought up his hundred in just 52 deliveries
This is the fourth century of his IPL career
On a night when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) desperately needed a spark to ignite their IPL 2026 campaign, Sanju Samson delivered a statement innings. Under the humid lights of the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, the experienced wicketkeeper-batter roared back to form.
With intense scrutiny over his early-season form, Sanju Samson delivered a masterclass in T20 batting, smashing his fourth IPL century to lead Chennai Super Kings to a massive total against Delhi Capitals. In what was his first major contribution in the iconic yellow jersey, Samson’s brilliance turned a high-pressure home game into a showcase of pure timing and power.
Entering the 18th match of the season, the pressure on Samson was palpable. Despite a stellar run in the 2026 T20 World Cup, where he averaged over 80.00, his transition to the yellow jersey had been uncharacteristically sluggish.
With CSK sitting at the bottom of the table after three consecutive losses, and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad struggling at the other end, the stage was set for a veteran's intervention.
After DC skipper Axar Patel elected to bowl, Samson looked in the zone from the first over. He took a particular liking to the pace of Mukesh Kumar, dismantling him for three consecutive boundaries.
His trademark elegance was on full display as he manipulated the field, using the pace of Auqib Nabi to find the third-man region and lofting T. Natarajan over the covers with effortless timing.
The milestone came in the 18th over of the innings. Having shared a dominant 100-run stand with youngster Ayush Mhatre, Samson reached his century off just 53 deliveries. His hundred was a perfect blend of elegance and aggression, featuring 13 boundaries and 5 towering sixes.
He was particularly severe on the Delhi Capitals' pace attack, dismantling Mukesh Kumar and Auqib Nabi with his trademark lofted drives and back-foot punches.
This century is a significant moment for both Samson and the CSK franchise. By crossing the three-figure mark, he silenced critics who had labeled his start to the 2026 season as sluggish. It also marked his first ton since the 2026 T20 World Cup, where he was a standout performer for India.
By the time the game reached the end point of the first innings, Samson had propelled CSK to a competitive position. This knock doesn't just provide CSK with a platform for their first win of the season, it serves as a reminder that when Sanju Samson finds his rhythm, there are few sights more destructive in T20 cricket.
Sanju Samson - Stats
Sanju Samson’s Centuries In IPL
102 (63) vs RPS, Pune, 2017
102* (55) vs SRH, Hyderabad, 2019
119 (63) vs PBKS, Wankhede, 2021
102* (52) vs DC, Chennai, 2026
