Samson Silences Doubts with Match-Winning Century for CSK

In a remarkable turnaround, Sanju Samson smashed an unbeaten 115 off 56 balls to guide Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their first win of Indian Premier League 2026, defeating Delhi Capitals (DC). However, the explosive innings came after a period of self-doubt following a string of low scores at the start of the tournament.

Samson, who entered the IPL in red-hot form after scores of 97*, 89, and 89 in international cricket, struggled in his first three matches for CSK, managing just 6, 7, and 9. Reflecting on the lean patch, the 31-year-old admitted that even a few failures can shake a player’s confidence.

“To be very honest, however much form you’re in, a couple of failures definitely put a lot of doubts in your mind,” Samson said during the post-match presentation.

Despite the uncertainty, Samson chose not to overhaul his approach. Instead, he focused on returning to his fundamentals.

“I just wanted to go back to my basics, believe in myself, and stick to my scoring patterns,” he explained. “There were thoughts about changing my game plan, but I wanted to stick to what was working.”

Samson emphasized the importance of mental clarity and technical discipline in overcoming difficult phases.

“Mentally, you start questioning whether to be more aggressive or change things. But you need to bring yourself back to the basics — watching the ball closely, timing it well. That’s what worked for me.”

This season marks Samson’s debut with CSK following a high-profile trade from Rajasthan Royals, which saw Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran move the other way. Samson admitted he felt a strong sense of responsibility to justify the franchise’s faith in him.

“The trust they showed in me made me feel I needed to stand up and deliver,” he said.

He also praised the calm and supportive environment within the CSK setup, highlighting how the team remained composed despite losing their first three matches.

“Even after three losses, we had just a 50-second meeting. That shows the culture of the franchise — calm and composed — and it really connects with who I am.”

Samson dedicated his century to CSK head coach Stephen Fleming, who had also faced criticism during the team’s poor start.

“That celebration was for Fleming. I know how mentally challenging it can be to lead a team. I just wanted to dedicate this innings to him.”

With this commanding performance, Samson not only secured a crucial win for CSK but also reaffirmed his resilience and ability to bounce back under pressure.