Sanju Samson’s first hundred for Chennai Super Kings took the franchise to their first win in IPL 2026. Playing against the Delhi Capitals, the five-time champions secured a 23-run victory in their fourth match of the 19th season of the tournament. After posting 212 for 2 in their allotted 20 overs, they restricted the DC to 189. Delhi batters were never in the game and kept losing wickets.

Pathum Nissanka was once again impressive, amassing 41 runs off 24 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes. However, the likes of KL Rahul (18), Sameer Rizvi (6) and Axar Patel (1) returned to the dressing room without making significant contributions.

It was Tristan Stubbs who kept Delhi in the game till the end. The Proteas batter scored 60 runs off 38 balls, including 4 boundaries and 3 sixes, but his effort went in vain as the willow holders from the other hand couldn’t hit big shots. For CSK, Jamie Overton took 4 wickets.

Earlier, Delhi Capitals skipper Axar won the toss and invited the host franchise to bat first at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, but it backfired as Sanju Samson returned to form. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad continued his ordinary run with the bat, accumulating just 15 runs in 18 balls.

His dismissal provided much relief to the Super Kings as Samson found an able batting partner in the form of Ayush Mhatre. The two added 113 runs for the second wicket, with the keeper managing an unbeaten 115 in 56 balls, including 15 fours and 4 sixes.

Mhatre posted 56 off 36 before he was retired out after failing to time the ball. He struck 4 sixes and 3 runs, with his run coming at a strike rate of 163.88.

Shivam Dube replaced the young batter, and the all-rounder contributed 20 not out in 10 deliveries. Dube smashed 2 fours and 1 maximum. Chennai had a chance to take the score to over the 230-run mark, but the batters slowed down in the death overs.

With their win, Chennai have two points from four games and moved up to ninth position. On the other hand, Delhi, which started the season with two successive victories, have lost two on the trot.