Kamal Ghorui
Sanju Samson returned to form in style, smashing a brilliant unbeaten 115 and with Jamie Overton’s 4 wicket-haul Chennai Super Kings register their first win of IPL 2026 on Saturday evening in Chepauk, defeating Delhi Capitals by 23 runs. After a few quiet games, Samson led from the front, while the bowlers, led by Jamie Overton, sealed the win with a strong performance. Asked to bat first after losing the toss, CSK posted a solid 212/2, thanks largely to a 113-run partnership between Samson and Ayush Mhatre, who scored a quick 59.While Mhatre impressed with his strokeplay, Samson anchored the innings and accelerated at the right moments, bringing up his century in 52 balls. It was his fourth IPL hundred and first for CSK. Even a dropped catch on 55 didn’t stop him, as he made Delhi pay with a commanding knock. Samson looked much more confident compared to earlier matches, timing the ball cleanly and playing shots all around the ground. His innings was filled with elegant boundaries and big hits, including a standout six over extra cover.Mhatre, meanwhile, showed great promise before being retired out to allow a late push from Shivam Dube. The strong total gave CSK a solid platform, and their bowlers made the most of it.
Flying start from DC openers
Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul came out all guns blazing, racing past 50 in just four overs. Nissanka smashed 41 off 18 balls, while Rahul looked fluent before falling to Khaleel Ahmed. At 61/1 in five overs, DC looked in control. The momentum shifted quickly as Anshul Kamboj removed Nissanka, while debutant Gurjapneet Singh struck with his very first delivery to dismiss Axar Patel.Overton then joined the act, removing Sameer Rizvi to leave DC’s middle order rattled. Tristan Stubbs kept Delhi in the contest with a fighting 60 off 38 balls, stitching a brief 45-run stand with David Miller. However, Overton returned to dismiss Miller, tightening CSK’s grip.A quickfire 19 from Ashutosh Sharma threatened to swing momentum, but Noor Ahmad removed him at a crucial juncture. Overton also accounted for Auqib Nabi as DC kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
CSK seal dominant win
With the required rate soaring, Stubbs eventually fell in the 19th over, caught off Overton, effectively ending DC’s hopes. Kamboj then wrapped up the innings by dismissing Kuldeep Yadav and Lungi Ngidi, as Delhi were bowled out for 189.CSK’s all-round performance, led by Overton’s brilliance and backed by sharp fielding, helped them end a six-match losing streak at Chepauk in style.
