Chennai, April 12 (NationPress) The five-time IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), were driven by an intense urgency to end a three-match losing streak, as stated by their bowling consultant, Eric Simons. The team's desperation for victory was palpable in their IPL 2026 encounter against Delhi Capitals.

At the MA Chidambaram Stadium, a remarkable unbeaten 115 from Sanju Samson, combined with Jamie Overton's impressive figures of 4-18, led CSK to a 23-run triumph over DC, marking their first win in the ongoing season. This victory also snapped a six-match losing streak at Chepauk.

“In this tournament, momentum is crucial; you must generate positivity. There’s a noticeable uplift in morale after such a win, and even prior to it, the team's practices and mindset were commendable. The self-belief remained intact; did it dip in earlier matches? Not at all,” Simons expressed during the post-match press briefing.

“Often, fielding reflects a team's morale. When Sarfaraz took that catch, it boosted everyone's spirits. The players were genuinely eager to clinch this victory,” he added.

“We were weary of consecutive losses, so the attitude among the players shifted positively. The self-belief has always been present,” Simons commented.

Discussing Samson's performance, Simons likened his composure to that of cricketing legend MS Dhoni. “Having worked alongside MS Dhoni for many years, I can say he's one of the calmest players I've known, and Sanju is quite close to that level. He comprehends the game exceptionally well, displaying no signs of panic. There was never any doubt about his capabilities; trust in oneself is vital, and he possesses an abundance of that,” he noted.

Before Saturday's match, CSK faced intense scrutiny following a significant 43-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru the previous week. Simons reassured that the team’s internal morale was high, countering claims of dwindling confidence in the dressing room.

“It becomes a habit to navigate difficult situations successfully. The atmosphere in the changing room was very positive tonight, and it had remained stable; some viewed the RCB game as a setback, but we never felt that way,” he clarified.

Simons concluded by commending Overton’s bowling performance. “It’s crucial for each player to find their niche. He experimented last week, which didn’t yield results, but today he played to his strengths with effective hard lengths and good yorkers. When you bowl at 150kmph while delivering an off-pace ball under 120, it can be incredibly effective,” he explained.