Sanju Samson’s Unbeaten 115, Overton’s 4-18 Power CSK to 23-Run Win Over DC

Chennai, April 2026 : A sensational century from Sanju Samson and a match-winning bowling spell by Jamie Overton helped Chennai Super Kings register a dominant 23-run victory over Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday, marking their first win of the season.

Samson delivered a captain’s knock, smashing an unbeaten 115 off just 56 balls in a breathtaking display of stroke play. His innings, studded with 15 fours and four sixes, came at a stunning strike rate of over 200 and lifted CSK to a formidable total of 212/2 in 20 overs. The knock also etched his name in the record books, as he became the first wicketkeeper-batter to score an IPL century for CSK and joined KL Rahul as one of the few players to score hundreds for three different IPL franchises.

CSK, having been asked to bat first, got off to a steady yet promising start. Samson and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad stitched together a 61-run partnership in the powerplay. While Gaikwad struggled to accelerate and was eventually dismissed for 15 by Axar Patel, Samson looked in sublime touch from the outset, effortlessly piercing gaps and clearing boundaries.

Youngster Ayush Mhatre then joined Samson and played a crucial supporting role. The duo added 113 runs for the second wicket, keeping the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace. Mhatre’s well-crafted 59 off 36 balls included powerful strokes and intelligent placement. Despite a slight slowdown in the death overs, CSK made a bold tactical decision to retire him out in the 18th over, bringing in the hard-hitting Shivam Dube to accelerate the scoring.

The move paid off as Dube smashed a quickfire 20 off just 10 balls, ensuring CSK crossed the 210-run mark. Meanwhile, Samson brought up his century with a stylish flick and celebrated in dramatic fashion, energising the Chepauk crowd. His innings proved to be the backbone of CSK’s imposing total.

In response, Delhi Capitals began their chase aggressively. Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul provided a flying start, racing past 50 within just four overs. Nissanka was particularly impressive, scoring 41 with a flurry of boundaries and sixes, while Rahul also looked fluent before falling to Khaleel Ahmed.

At 61/1, DC appeared well on course, but CSK’s bowlers turned the game around dramatically. Anshul Kamboj struck a crucial blow by dismissing Nissanka, while debutant Gurjapneet Singh made an immediate impact by taking a wicket on his very first ball.

The star of the bowling effort, however, was Jamie Overton, who delivered a sensational spell of 4/18—the best figures of the season so far. Using pace and accuracy, he dismantled DC’s middle order, including key wickets like David Miller and later Tristan Stubbs, who had threatened to take the game away.

Stubbs fought valiantly, scoring a brisk 60 off 38 balls, anchoring DC’s innings as wickets fell around him. He found brief support from Miller during a 45-run stand and later from Ashutosh Sharma, who chipped in with a quick 19. However, the rising required run rate proved too much to handle.

CSK’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding ensured DC never regained full control. Overton’s decisive breakthroughs, combined with Kamboj’s 3/35, eventually bowled DC out for 189 in their allotted 20 overs.

The victory was particularly significant for CSK as it ended their six-match losing streak at Chepauk and gave them their first points of the tournament. The all-round performance, led by Samson’s brilliance and Overton’s clinical bowling, showcased CSK’s potential as they look to build momentum in the season.

Score:
Chennai Super Kings – 212/2 (20 overs)
(Sanju Samson 115*, Ayush Mhatre 59; Axar Patel 1/39)

Delhi Capitals – 189 all out (20 overs)
(Tristan Stubbs 60, Pathum Nissanka 41; Jamie Overton 4/18, Anshul Kamboj 3/35)

Result: Chennai Super Kings won by 23 runs.