Chennai, April 12 (NationPress) Sanju Samson delivered a stunning performance with an unbeaten 115, while Jamie Overton showcased his bowling prowess with figures of 4-18, leading the Chennai Super Kings to a decisive 23-run victory against the Delhi Capitals during the IPL 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.

Samson, celebrated for his role in India’s 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup success, ignited the crowd at Chepauk with the first century of this IPL season, scoring 115 runs off merely 56 balls, which included 15 boundaries and four sixes, finishing with a strike rate of 205.36 as CSK posted a formidable total of 212/2.

By achieving this milestone, Samson became the first wicketkeeper-batter to secure an IPL century for CSK and joined KL Rahul as the only players to register centuries for three different franchises in the IPL. He partnered with young talent Ayush Mhatre to form a crucial 113-run partnership, with Mhatre contributing 59 runs from 36 balls.

Although facing a challenging target, DC began their chase positively with Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul surpassing the 50-run mark in the fourth over. However, the game shifted dramatically as CSK claimed three wickets in three overs. Overton’s exceptional bowling performance, with the best stats of the season, effectively dismantled the DC middle order, supported by CSK's sharp fielding.

Tristan Stubbs stood out for DC with a determined 60 runs off 38 balls, featuring four fours and three sixes, but the accelerating required run rate proved insurmountable. Overton received assistance from debutant Gurjapneet Singh and Anshul Kamboj, who collected 3-35, leading to DC being bowled out for 189 in 20 overs.

This victory marked the end of CSK's six-match losing streak at Chepauk and secured their first points of the tournament. Batting first, Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad forged a 61-run partnership during the Power-play. Samson was aggressive from the beginning, while Gaikwad struggled with 15 runs off 18 balls before falling to Axar Patel.

After Mhatre joined Samson, they frequently cleared the boundary and exploited DC’s fielding errors. Mhatre, who benefited from two reprieves, was retired out in the 18th over after a brief slowdown, paving the way for Shivam Dube.

Samson, who was dropped on 52, celebrated his century with a flick off T Natarajan, saluting the crowd, which erupted in cheers as they chanted his name. Dube helped maintain the momentum, scoring a quick 20 off 10 balls, hitting two fours and a six in the final overs.

Chasing 213, DC started well, with Nissanka and Rahul hitting 16 runs off Khaleel Ahmed in the second over, racing past fifty in the fourth with impressive batting. Nissanka finished with five fours and two sixes in his 41, while Rahul was fluent with two boundaries and a six before misplaying a pull shot off Khaleel.

At 61/1 after five overs, DC looked strong, but CSK responded effectively. Kamboj dismissed Nissanka in the next over, with Dewald Brevis taking the catch at mid-on. Gurjapneet made an impactful debut, claiming a wicket on his first ball as Axar Patel was caught at backward point.

Sameer Rizvi briefly fought back but fell to Overton, who claimed David Miller with a rapid delivery, breaking the partnership with Tristan Stubbs, who attempted to stabilize the innings.

Stubbs fought valiantly, producing elegant shots and reaching his fifty in 30 balls, but the climbing required rate proved challenging. His innings ended when he miscued an Overton delivery, leading to his dismissal in the 19th over, sealing the match for CSK, who wrapped up the innings by dismissing Kuldeep Yadav and Lungi Ngidi.

Final scores: CSK 212/2 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 115 not out, Ayush Mhatre 59; Axar Patel 1-39) defeated DC 189 all out in 20 overs (Tristan Stubbs 60, Pathum Nissanka 41; Jamie Overton 4-18, Anshul Kamboj 3-35) by 23 runs.