Deep Dasgupta hails Samson's 87 as CSK crush DC by 8 wickets in IPL 2026
Synopsis
Sanju Samson is no longer a one-match wonder. After years of tantalising glimpses, the CSK wicketkeeper has strung together a season of relentless consistency, anchored by a T20 World Cup breakthrough. His unbeaten 87 against DC is not an outlier — it's the new normal, and Deep Dasgupta is convinced this is finally the Samson India has been waiting for.
Key Takeaways
Sanju Samson scored an unbeaten 87 to guide CSK to an 8-wicket win over DC on 6 May .
Samson has accumulated 402 runs in 10 innings at an average of 57.42 and strike rate of 167.50 , leading CSK's run-scoring.
Deep Dasgupta termed this Samson's "best version," attributing the turnaround to his T20 World Cup 2026 performances in the semi-final and final.
CSK restricted DC to 155 for 7 and chased it down with 15 deliveries to spare.
CSK now sits at the sixth position with 10 points from 10 matches and 5 wins .
Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta on 6 May praised wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson for his newfound consistency and match-winning prowess after his unbeaten 87 guided Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a commanding 8-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals (DC). Dasgupta termed this the "best version of Samson" the cricket fraternity has witnessed in years, marking a sharp departure from his earlier pattern of sporadic brilliance.
Samson's turnaround in IPL 2026
Samson began the tournament with three single-digit scores but has since emerged as CSK's leading run-getter. Across 10 innings, he has accumulated 402 runs at an average of 57.42 and a strike rate of 167.50 — metrics that underscore both consistency and aggression. His trajectory mirrors a player finally harnessing his potential after years of flashing brilliance without sustained output.
The World Cup inflection point
Dasgupta attributed Samson's transformation to his performances at the T20 World Cup 2026, where he played match-winning knocks in the semi-final and final. "Starting from the World Cup, he's been so consistent," Dasgupta told ESPNCricinfo. "Every season you see a couple of those innings and go 'wow, what a player!' but then it would only end up being those couple of innings. But now, it's different."
The DC chase dissected
CSK restricted DC to a modest 155 for 7 through disciplined bowling on a tricky surface. Samson's unbeaten 87 anchored the chase with clinical precision, steering the visitors to victory with 15 deliveries to spare. Dasgupta noted that Samson's approach appeared calibrated to a different playing surface — a mark of maturity. "Every time he goes past fifty, he gets a hundred and stays not out. Again, he does not stay out on 87, but it was a brilliant innings. It just seemed like he was playing on a different surface," Dasgupta added.
CSK's playoff push
Samson's resurgence has been pivotal to CSK's comeback in the playoff race. The franchise currently sits at the sixth position with 10 points from 10 matches and 5 wins. With the tournament entering its decisive phase, Samson's consistency could prove the difference between a playoff berth and an early exit.
Point of View
But it is real. For years, he delivered one or two eye-catching knocks per season, then disappeared into inconsistency. The T20 World Cup 2026 seems to have flipped a switch — not in talent, which was always there, but in temperament and shot selection. If he sustains this for the remainder of IPL 2026, CSK's playoff hopes brighten considerably, and the debate around his India selection becomes moot.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Sanju Samson's score in the CSK vs DC match?
Sanju Samson scored an unbeaten 87, which anchored CSK's successful chase of DC's 155 for 7. He played with clinical precision, helping CSK win by 8 wickets with 15 deliveries remaining.
How many runs has Samson scored in IPL 2026 so far?
Samson has accumulated 402 runs across 10 innings at an average of 57.42 and a strike rate of 167.50, making him CSK's leading run-scorer in the tournament.
What did Deep Dasgupta say about Samson's form?
Deep Dasgupta termed Samson's current form the 'best version' of the player, attributing his consistency to performances at the T20 World Cup 2026. He noted that unlike previous seasons where Samson had isolated brilliant innings, he is now performing consistently match after match.
How has CSK fared in IPL 2026 with Samson's contributions?
CSK has climbed to the sixth position with 10 points from 10 matches and 5 wins, largely propelled by Samson's consistent batting. His performances have been crucial to the franchise's comeback in the playoff race.
