NEW DELHI: On a night when milestones beckoned, Sanju Samson chose substance over statistics and guided Chennai Super Kings to a vital win with an unbeaten 87 against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.Samson admitted after the match that the thought of a third century of the season crossed his mind, but winning an unbeaten match gave him “greater satisfaction”. “Hundreds are always special. There was some desire there but I had to be a bit too selfish to get it… winning the game gives you more confidence, satisfaction and happiness,” he said with a smile during the post-match presentation.
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Stephen Fleming on CSK’s batting struggle, hard pitch and extra bounceCalm, control and calculated aggressionChasing 156 on a slow surface, CSK were under early pressure at 45/2. But Samson remained undeterred. The goalkeeper, known for his composure, emphasized that his calm demeanor is nothing new. “To be honest, I’m always like that … even outside I’m calm,” he said.READ ALSO: KL Rahul overtakes Abhishek Sharma to reclaim Orange Cap; Sanju Samson jumps to fifth placeSamson revealed that he is working on his initial motion and adapting it according to the situation of the pitchers and match situations. That preparation showed as he anchored the chase, initially cautious on 22 off 22 balls before switching smoothly. He brought up his half-century in the 12th over and then dismantled the Delhi attack with controlled aggression.His unbeaten 114-run stand with Kartik Sharma ensured CSK crossed the line with ease and completed the chase with 15 balls to spare.‘He played for the team’ — Gavaskar praises maturitySamson’s decision to prioritize victory over a personal milestone drew widespread praise. In a post-match conversation, Samson reiterated his thinking: “A hundred is always special. But I would have to be a bit selfish for that… I thought it was better to win the match for the team.”This clarity impressed former Indian great Sunil Gavaskar, who emphasized the growth of the batter. “Patience pays big. He set up and then stepped up. Had Kartik not ended it with those shots, Samson could have had his century. But he played for the team,” remarked Gavaskar.Virender Sehwag echoed similar sentiments and praised Samson’s improved awareness of the game.“He played percentage cricket, attacking only the balls in his zone. His understanding of the game has improved a lot over the last couple of years,” Sehwag said.CSK’s playoff hopes hinge on SamsonSamson’s numbers underline his impact this season — 402 runs in 10 matches, including two hundreds and fifties, ranks him among the best. More importantly, his contributions directly affected CSK’s victory.With five wins, Chennai now remain firmly in playoff contention. And if they are to go deeper into the tournament, Samson’s blend of composure, clarity and match-winning ability could be decisive.
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