Sanju Samson finally made an innings statement for Chennai Super Kings, smashing a match-winning century against Delhi Capitals in Chepauk. His knock not only helped CSK to a decisive victory but also earned him high praise from bowling coach Eric Simmons who compared Samson’s composure to that of MS Dhoni.
The hundred came at an important moment for Samsonwho struggled in his first few appearances for CSK after his move from Rajasthan Royals. Scores of 6, 7 and 9 raised early questions but the Kerala batter responded in style with a 52-ball over, the first of IPL 2026.
IPL 2026, CSK vs DC: MAIN | SCORECARD
“I’ve had the privilege of spending many years playing and being involved with MS Dhoni, who is one of the calmest cricketers I’ve ever met, and Sanju Samson is not far behind him. He understands the game from that perspective,” Simmons said.
“I didn’t see any panic, no sense of desperation. That kind of game sometimes just goes. You just have to keep trusting and believing in your qualities and he definitely has plenty of that,” he added.
Samson’s innings stood out not just for the numbers, but also for the control he displayed throughout. PowerPlay dominated, scoring 45 of CSK’s 61 runs in the first six overs, setting the tone early against the DC attack.
His footwork was crisp, his shot selection clear and he had a calm authority that he lacked in previous outings. The boundaries flowed freely as he mixed timing with placement, finishing with 14 fours and three sixes.
CSK built on that start and contributions from the middle order took them to a strong total of 212 for 2. That cushion proved crucial as DC threatened early in the run before losing momentum.
HOW SAMSON SPOKE HIMSELF BACK INTO FORM
The shift was like a reset for Samson. After a slow start to the season, he went back to basics, trusted his game and let things fall into place.
He didn’t try to force the pace unnecessarily. Instead, he picked his moments, building partnerships and stepping up when needed. This balance allowed him to control the shift rather than chase it.
More importantly, the tapping showed clarity. Samson looked composed at the crease, making good reads and adjusting to what the situation required.
With MS Dhoni still recovering and not fully available, CSK needed someone to take the lead. Samson did just that, combining composure with intent to produce one of the best performances of the season.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
12 Apr 2026 09:53 IST
