CSK's Samson century

Chennai Super Kings beat Delhi Capitals by 23 runs on April 11 for their first Indian Premier League 2026 victory, powered by Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 115. (espncricinfo.com) Samson made 115 not out from 56 balls at Chennai’s M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, while Ayush Mhatre added 59 from 36 and retired out as Chennai finished on 212 for 2 in 20 overs. (cricbuzz.com) Delhi reached 66 for 3 in the powerplay but were bowled out for 189, with Jamie Overton taking 4 for 18 and Anshul Kamboj taking 3 for 35. Tristan Stubbs kept the chase alive with 60 from 38 balls, and Pathum Nissanka scored 41 from 24. (espncricinfo.com) The result ended Chennai’s three-match losing start to the season and gave the side its first points in the 2026 table. Cricbuzz also reported that Chennai had lost its previous six matches at Chepauk before this game. (iplt20.com) (cricbuzz.com) Samson had come into the match after three low scores, and ESPNcricinfo reported that he scored 45 of Chennai’s 61 powerplay runs before reaching his hundred in 52 balls. Delhi captain Axar Patel won the toss and chose to bowl first. (espncricinfo.com) (cricbuzz.com) Mhatre’s innings gave Samson a second attacking partner after Ruturaj Gaikwad made 15, and their stand added 113 runs before Mhatre left in the 18th over. Shivam Dube then finished unbeaten on 20 from 10 balls. (cricbuzz.com) Delhi’s chase slipped when Overton removed Sameer Rizvi, David Miller, Stubbs and Auqib Nabi, and Chennai also got wickets from Khaleel Ahmed, Gurjapneet Singh and Noor Ahmad. Delhi’s innings included 15 extras, with 11 wides and three no-balls. (cricbuzz.com) For one night, Chennai’s season turned on the same formula it trusted at the start: a top-order batting surge, then a middle-overs squeeze with wickets. This time, Samson’s century gave them enough margin to survive Stubbs’ counterattack and close out the game. (iplt20.com) (espncricinfo.com)