Chennai, April 11 (NationPress) Sanju Samson, the wicketkeeper-batter for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), acknowledged that even a minor slump in form can lead to considerable self-doubt. However, he credited his return to fundamentals for achieving an impressive unbeaten score of 115 runs off 56 balls during the IPL 2026 match against Delhi Capitals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.

Samson, celebrated for his pivotal role in India’s 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup victory, had a rocky start to IPL 2026 following his trade to CSK last year. Yet, on Saturday, he mesmerized the Chepauk crowd with his dazzling stroke-play, particularly excelling on the off-side, accumulating 15 fours and four sixes at a remarkable strike rate of 205.36.

As the first wicketkeeper-batter to score a century for CSK, he also became the second player after KL Rahul to register centuries for three different IPL franchises—DC, RR, and now CSK.

“It feels fantastic, thanks to you (Ravi Shastri). You’ve become my lucky charm before every match, so I hope you keep coming. Honestly, despite the successes and forms, a couple of failures can definitely sow seeds of doubt in your mind,” Samson shared during a mid-innings discussion with broadcasters.

He remarked on the early challenges posed by the Chepauk pitch, especially during the Power-play, before it became more accommodating as the match progressed. “Initially, it was indeed holding up a bit. The ball was sticking when Axar bowled in the Power-play,” he explained.

“However, as the ball aged, it transformed into a great pitch for batting. We focused on our fundamentals, and Aayush and I had a fantastic partnership (Aayush Mhatre scored 59). He’s an exceptional young talent. I truly enjoyed batting alongside him,” he added.

When discussing the team’s strategy for setting a score in the modern T20 landscape, Samson emphasized a more aggressive and flexible approach. “These days, you can’t fixate on a target. Once you settle in, it’s crucial to aim for a substantial score,” he commented.

“That was our intention—to keep the momentum going. We preserved our wickets and had a long batting lineup available. It was about choosing the right bowlers and options to maximize our contributions,” he stated.

Samson expressed confidence in his bowling unit’s capacity to defend the substantial total, contingent on a strong start in the second innings. “It’s undoubtedly a challenging total to chase. But with our bowling resources, a solid powerplay can make a significant difference,” he concluded.