Samson finished with a remarkable unbeaten 115 off just 56 deliveries, featuring 15 fours and 4 sixes, serving as the cornerstone of CSK’s finest batting display of the season to date. This inning marked his first hundred in CSK colors and the inaugural century of IPL 2026.
After being invited to bat first, Samson confidently anchored the innings, building a crucial 113-run partnership for the second wicket with Mhatre, who played a steady and assured supporting role.
This knock was particularly significant for Samson following a lackluster start to the season. The Kerala batter displayed greater confidence, regaining his timing, balance, and intent to deliver a vintage performance before the home crowd.
This inning was the kind the CSK team and their fans had anticipated—a celebration of Samson’s skill and a timely resurgence at the top of the order.
His feet, eyes, and hands found their rhythm again, resulting in an array of shots flowing off the bat. However, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad struggled to build momentum even during the Power Play, with his 62-run opening partnership being primarily driven by Samson’s aggressiveness.
Samson hinted at his form early on, striking two consecutive fours off pacer Mukesh Kumar, yet the standout moment of his innings was a six over extra cover off left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Luck also favored Samson, as he was dropped on 55 by Pathum Nissanka near long-off off Axar Patel.
The 31-year-old capitalized fully on that miss, ensuring DC faced the consequences of their blunder. He reached his fifty in 26 balls, just one ball fewer than Mhatre, and secured his hundred in 52 balls as CSK progressed smoothly.
Mhatre, in contrast, was a joy to watch until he was retired out after a well-constructed innings, allowing big-hitting Shivam Dube the opportunity to bat.
Up until that point, Mhatre delighted the Chepauk crowd with his impressive strokes.
