Sanju Samson is fast becoming one of the most compelling batters in IPL 2026, and his unbeaten 87 against Delhi Capitals on Tuesday night was another reminder of just how dangerous he can be when the conditions are right. Chennai Super Kings walked away with a convincing eight-wicket win and kept their playoff dream very much alive. (Sanju Samson)
How Sanju Samson took control from ball one -Sanju Samson
The match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium had all the ingredients for a tough chase. Delhi Capitals had recovered from a shaky start to post 155 for 7, thanks largely to Sameer Rizvi’s battling 40 not out and a decent stand with Tristan Stubbs. But the target of 156 never felt safe once Samson walked out to bat. He was in complete command from the very first over, picking the right balls to attack and leaving the loose ones along with controlled aggression.
By the time he reached his fifty off just 26 balls, the Chepauk faithful who had made the trip to Delhi were on their feet. He went on to post 87 not out, and CSK got home in just 17.3 overs with 15 balls to spare. The win margin of eight wickets felt even bigger than it looked on paper.
Delhi’s batting let them down at crucial moments
It is worth going back to what Delhi did with the bat, because the surface was partly responsible for keeping the score lower than expected. Delhi chose to bat first and were immediately under pressure as their top order crumbled against some disciplined CSK bowling. Anshul Kamboj led the attack with his usual reliability, while Noor Ahmad created real problems for the right-hand batters with his variations.
KL Rahul was dismissed early by Akeal Hosein in a moment that shifted the game significantly. Pathum Nissanka went cheaply, and suddenly Delhi were five down for 69 in the 12th over. Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs gave the innings some respectability by putting on 65 runs together, but the final total was always going to be below par on a surface that was better than expected for batting.
Kartik Sharma provides crucial support – Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson was not alone in putting on a show for CSK. Kartik Sharma, batting at number three, contributed a composed 41 not out that complemented Samson’s aggression perfectly. Together they took CSK past the line without any drama, rotating the strike smartly and breaking free whenever the opportunity presented itself.
Sharma has been a quiet but important part of CSK’s batting this season, often playing second fiddle to the bigger names but delivering when it counts. This was another one of those innings that does not make the headlines but wins matches.
What this win means for CSK’s season
Before this game, CSK were sitting in the bottom half of the table with eight points from nine matches. The win pushed them to 10 points and back into genuine playoff contention. The gap to the top five is now just two points, and with several matches still to play, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side is very much in the running.
The team’s batting has been a concern at various points in the season, but the bowling unit has been consistently strong. Kamboj and Noor Ahmad make a formidable pair in the middle overs, and if the batters can keep producing performances like this one, CSK will be a tough team to stop.
MS Dhoni absence continues to be a talking point
One of the big stories around CSK heading into this match was the confirmation that MS Dhoni would not be travelling to Delhi due to a persistent calf injury. There are no timelines for his return as yet, and CSK have continued to manage without him. While his presence is always missed for the impact he brings with both bat and behind the stumps, the squad has responded well to his absence, which speaks volumes about the depth in the side.
With Sanju Samson having taken to his new role with CSK so naturally, the batting has a different but effective dynamic this season. His hundred against DC earlier in the season and now this brilliant 87 show he is in the form of his life. CSK fans will be hoping there is a lot more of this to come as the tournament heads into its business end. ( Sanju Samson)
Written by 8JJ.com | May 08,2026
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