IPL 2026: It was a night of brilliance for the Chennai Super Kings, who finally opened their account in IPL 2026 with a commanding 23-run victory over Delhi Capitals in a high-scoring thriller at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday. Sanju Samson’s explosive unbeaten 115 off just 56 balls powered CSK post a massive total of 212 for 2, before a disciplined bowling effort, led by Jamie Overton’s fiery 4 for 18, restricted DC to 189 all out.
Axar Patel won the toss and invited the host to bat first. CSK got off to a solid start with openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Samson adding 62 runs for the first wicket, before Gaikwad was dismissed at 15, but that only brought together Samson and the young sensation Ayush Mhatre. The duo stitched a formidable 113-run partnership for the second wicket, with Mhatre, the U19 World Cup-winning captain, smashing 59 off 36 balls.
Samson became first wicketkeeper-batter to score an IPL ton for CSK
Samson, who have had a disappointing start in CSK colours finally made a solid comeback as he reached his fifty in just 26 balls and brought up a stunning century off 52 deliveries – becoming the first wicketkeeper-batter to score an IPL hundred for Chennai Super Kings, surpassing MS Dhoni’s previous franchise record for a keeper. His 115 off 56 included was laced with 14 boundaries and four sixes at an impressive strike rate exceeding 205.
After Mhatre was retired, Samson formed another crucial partnership along with Shivam Dube. The pair added an unbroken 37 runs in the death overs, with Samson remaining not out on 115.
Overton leads CSK’s bowling charge as Delhi Capitals fall 23 runs short
In reply, Delhi Capitals began aggressively but struggled to maintain momentum against CSK’s disciplined bowling. Pathum Nissanka provided a brisk start with 41 off 24 balls, while Tristan Stubbs fought valiantly with a quickfire 60 off 38. However, regular wickets prevented DC from building any substantial partnerships.
England star all-rounder Jamie Overton stole the show with the ball as he finished with impressive figures of 4 for 18 in his four overs. His ability to hit the deck hard and extract bounce troubled the DC middle order, claiming key scalps including David Miller and Stubbs.
Overton was well supported by Anshul Kamboj (3 for 35), Gurjapneet Singh (1 for 39), and Khaleel Ahmed (1 for 40). Meanwhile, Noor Ahmad and others chipped in to ensure DC could never get ahead of the required run rate. DC were all out for 189 in the final over, falling 23 runs short despite some late resistance. The defeat leaves Delhi Capitals searching for consistency, while CSK will take immense confidence from this much-needed win after a slow start to their campaign.