6,6,6,6… अंशुल कंबोज का मार्श-पूरन ने मार-मारकर किया बुरा हाल, बनाया IPL इतिहास में सबसे ज्यादा छक्के खाने का रिकॉर्ड
0/65 (3) - खलील अहमद बनाम आरसीबी, बेंगलुरु, 20250/63 (2.4) - अंशुल कंबोज बनाम एलएसजी,…
0/65 (3) - खलील अहमद बनाम आरसीबी, बेंगलुरु, 20250/63 (2.4) - अंशुल कंबोज बनाम एलएसजी,…
IPL 2026 CSK vs MI Playing 11: आईपीएल 2026 का 44वां मुकाबला चेन्नई के एमए…
A captain, they say, must lead from the front. By that measure, Ruturaj Gaikwad has endured a quiet start to the Indian Premier League 2026. But Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach Eric Simons insists there is little concern within the camp over the skipper’s lean run.
“It’s a cliché that class is permanent. Tilak (Varma) had been struggling, hadn’t he? And then he has gone and played an incredible knock. We don’t doubt Rutu at all and he doesn’t doubt himself,” Simons said on Wednesday, on the eve of CSK’s marquee clash against Mumbai Indians.
The numbers underline the lull. Gaikwad has managed 82 runs off 73 balls across six innings — returns that have mirrored CSK’s broader struggles at the top. The absence of a consistent anchor has hurt a batting unit that’s still searching for stability.
Preview | Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance
Yet, within the dressing room, the view remains unchanged: it is a matter of time.
“For us, it’s just a moment that that breakout comes. Maybe it’s a shot, maybe it’s something that gets through a gap and he is away,” Simons said. “He is a very calm man. He has got a lot of self-confidence. He knows his game particularly well. It just hasn’t paid off for him up to this stage.”
Simons emphasised that Gaikwad’s mindset remains intact, even if the returns haven’t followed.
“We have had no concerns about his frame of mind. It’s just a matter of when, not if he comes to the fore again.”
On Thursday night at the Wankhede Stadium, both CSK and its captain will hope that moment arrives.
Published on Apr 22, 2026
A captain, they say, must lead from the front. By that measure, Ruturaj Gaikwad has endured a quiet start to the Indian Premier League 2026. But Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach Eric Simons insists there is little concern within the camp over the skipper’s lean run.
“It’s a cliché that class is permanent. Tilak (Varma) had been struggling, hadn’t he? And then he has gone and played an incredible knock. We don’t doubt Rutu at all and he doesn’t doubt himself,” Simons said on Wednesday, on the eve of CSK’s marquee clash against Mumbai Indians.
The numbers underline the lull. Gaikwad has managed 82 runs off 73 balls across six innings — returns that have mirrored CSK’s broader struggles at the top. The absence of a consistent anchor has hurt a batting unit that’s still searching for stability.
Preview | Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings: a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance
Yet, within the dressing room, the view remains unchanged: it is a matter of time.
“For us, it’s just a moment that that breakout comes. Maybe it’s a shot, maybe it’s something that gets through a gap and he is away,” Simons said. “He is a very calm man. He has got a lot of self-confidence. He knows his game particularly well. It just hasn’t paid off for him up to this stage.”
Simons emphasised that Gaikwad’s mindset remains intact, even if the returns haven’t followed.
“We have had no concerns about his frame of mind. It’s just a matter of when, not if he comes to the fore again.”
On Thursday night at the Wankhede Stadium, both CSK and its captain will hope that moment arrives.
Published on Apr 22, 2026
A captain, they say, must lead from the front. By that measure, Ruturaj Gaikwad has…
It is billed as the biggest rivalry of the Indian Premier League — not merely for the weight of silverware carried by the men in blue and gold and those in yellow, but also for the vast, global fanbases the two franchises have cultivated over the years.
And yet, in IPL 2026, both Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have spent much of the first half languishing near the bottom of the table. The paradox, however, does little to dilute the occasion. Legacy ensures that interest remains undiminished, with loyalties split across households when the two sides meet at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday night.
Both teams are searching for rhythm, but it is CSK that arrives with more immediate concerns. A faltering chase of a 190-plus target in Hyderabad over the weekend exposed their fragility, and the absence of Ayush Mhatre — its leading run-scorer this season — due to a hamstring injury only compounds the challenge.
The void at the top will necessitate a reshuffle. Whether the management gives rookie Kartik Sharma another go remains to be seen. There is also lingering uncertainty around the availability of MS Dhoni, adding another layer of intrigue to CSK’s composition.
Also read | Sarfaraz vs Suryakumar: A battle within a battle as Chennai Super Kings visits Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians, too, has fitness concerns. Rohit Sharma has missed the last two games with a hamstring issue sustained on April 12, and his availability will hinge on a late assessment. There is, however, a boost in the form of Will Jacks, who is set to be available for selection for the first time this season.
MI will also look towards Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover his touch, much like Tilak Varma did in Ahmedabad on Monday, and provide impetus to a batting unit that has blown hot and cold.
Conditions could tilt the balance. Having chased down a 220-plus target against Kolkata Knight Riders on this very surface in its tournament-opener, Mumbai Indians will expect another high-scoring contest. Fresh off a win over Gujarat Titans on a black-soil pitch in Ahmedabad, it will look to translate that confidence into a sustained run — even as a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance this season.
Published on Apr 22, 2026
It is billed as the biggest rivalry of the Indian Premier League — not merely for the weight of silverware carried by the men in blue and gold and those in yellow, but also for the vast, global fanbases the two franchises have cultivated over the years.
And yet, in IPL 2026, both Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have spent much of the first half languishing near the bottom of the table. The paradox, however, does little to dilute the occasion. Legacy ensures that interest remains undiminished, with loyalties split across households when the two sides meet at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday night.
Both teams are searching for rhythm, but it is CSK that arrives with more immediate concerns. A faltering chase of a 190-plus target in Hyderabad over the weekend exposed their fragility, and the absence of Ayush Mhatre — its leading run-scorer this season — due to a hamstring injury only compounds the challenge.
The void at the top will necessitate a reshuffle. Whether the management gives rookie Kartik Sharma another go remains to be seen. There is also lingering uncertainty around the availability of MS Dhoni, adding another layer of intrigue to CSK’s composition.
Also read | Sarfaraz vs Suryakumar: A battle within a battle as Chennai Super Kings visits Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians, too, has fitness concerns. Rohit Sharma has missed the last two games with a hamstring issue sustained on April 12, and his availability will hinge on a late assessment. There is, however, a boost in the form of Will Jacks, who is set to be available for selection for the first time this season.
MI will also look towards Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover his touch, much like Tilak Varma did in Ahmedabad on Monday, and provide impetus to a batting unit that has blown hot and cold.
Conditions could tilt the balance. Having chased down a 220-plus target against Kolkata Knight Riders on this very surface in its tournament-opener, Mumbai Indians will expect another high-scoring contest. Fresh off a win over Gujarat Titans on a black-soil pitch in Ahmedabad, it will look to translate that confidence into a sustained run — even as a familiar rivalry seeks new relevance this season.
Published on Apr 22, 2026
It is billed as the biggest rivalry of the Indian Premier League — not merely…
When it rains, it pours. In the 19th iteration of India’s summer cricket carnival, Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has had a woeful batting run. CSK’s poor start to the IPL 2026 season (two wins in six matches) has piled on the misery.
Ruturaj, in the company of the new Super King Sanju Samson, was expected to carry the batting unit. But, with returns of 82 runs in six innings at a strike-rate of 112.33 and an average of 13.67, the 29-year-old has failed to lead from the front.
Having decided to return to the top of the order — he had preferred to walk out at No. 3 in the previous season — Ruturaj has often had starting trouble.
He has been dismissed for single digits thrice and scored more than 20 just once.
He has survived the PowerPlay only twice and even in one of those knocks, he was back in the dugout two deliveries after the field restrictions were eased.
Also read | Jasprit Bumrah a ‘fighter’, have no doubts about him — Paras Mhambrey
The opener has fallen prey to different types of bowlers — thrice to pacers, twice to left-arm spinners and once to a leggie — and the dismissals suggest he has to work on his technical shortcomings.
In Super Kings’ 180-plus run chases, Ruturaj’s returns of 174 in 13 innings at 126.08 have not been good enough in an era where elite batters and teams are mastering the art of hunting down huge targets.
The CSK skipper needs to shed his conservative approach and return to his combative self which has elevated him to where he is today.
Published on Apr 19, 2026
When it rains, it pours. In the 19th iteration of India’s summer cricket carnival, Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has had a woeful batting run. CSK’s poor start to the IPL 2026 season (two wins in six matches) has piled on the misery.
Ruturaj, in the company of the new Super King Sanju Samson, was expected to carry the batting unit. But, with returns of 82 runs in six innings at a strike-rate of 112.33 and an average of 13.67, the 29-year-old has failed to lead from the front.
Having decided to return to the top of the order — he had preferred to walk out at No. 3 in the previous season — Ruturaj has often had starting trouble.
He has been dismissed for single digits thrice and scored more than 20 just once.
He has survived the PowerPlay only twice and even in one of those knocks, he was back in the dugout two deliveries after the field restrictions were eased.
Also read | Jasprit Bumrah a ‘fighter’, have no doubts about him — Paras Mhambrey
The opener has fallen prey to different types of bowlers — thrice to pacers, twice to left-arm spinners and once to a leggie — and the dismissals suggest he has to work on his technical shortcomings.
In Super Kings’ 180-plus run chases, Ruturaj’s returns of 174 in 13 innings at 126.08 have not been good enough in an era where elite batters and teams are mastering the art of hunting down huge targets.
The CSK skipper needs to shed his conservative approach and return to his combative self which has elevated him to where he is today.
Published on Apr 19, 2026
When it rains, it pours. In the 19th iteration of India’s summer cricket carnival, Chennai…
Ruturaj Gaikwad has endured a difficult start to the season, managing just 63 runs, averaging just 12.60 with three single-digit scores and a venture beyond the 20s. His partner Sanju Samson suffered similar returns before a sublime unbeaten hundred at Chepauk turned the tide.
Ayush Mhatre at No. 3, meanwhile, has effortlessly accumulated 171 runs, including two fifties, at an average of 34.20, striking at 170 in the PowerPlay. The youngster successfully stepped into an injured Ruturaj’s shoes last season.
That, coupled with the CSK skipper’s dwindling returns, has fanned the whispers calling for a reshuffle at the top for the five-time champion, but head coach Stephen Fleming remains unconvinced.
“He hasn’t had the returns that he would like, but that can be the nature of T20. We’ve seen over the years that he’s a quality player. If we can cover for him for a few games and he comes into form… Very rarely someone dominates the whole way.”
ALSO READ | Hitting the hard length has been my strength, says Josh Hazlewood
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s charged-up bowling pool lineup will hope to make that task harder for the Super Kings. Fleming was left impressed by the team’s resilience against Rajasthan Royals.
“SRH fought back really well to give themselves a chance against RR. We’d love to have Hyderabad in that situation, but it’ll take a lot of work. Their top order is dynamic. How we deal with that will be one of the key components, because they can take the game away from you very quickly.”
M.S. Dhoni’s availability remains a mystery, with a tight-lipped Fleming saying he is “happy with Dhoni’s recovery.”
Published on Apr 17, 2026
Ruturaj Gaikwad has endured a difficult start to the season, managing just 63 runs, averaging just 12.60 with three single-digit scores and a venture beyond the 20s. His partner Sanju Samson suffered similar returns before a sublime unbeaten hundred at Chepauk turned the tide.
Ayush Mhatre at No. 3, meanwhile, has effortlessly accumulated 171 runs, including two fifties, at an average of 34.20, striking at 170 in the PowerPlay. The youngster successfully stepped into an injured Ruturaj’s shoes last season.
That, coupled with the CSK skipper’s dwindling returns, has fanned the whispers calling for a reshuffle at the top for the five-time champion, but head coach Stephen Fleming remains unconvinced.
“He hasn’t had the returns that he would like, but that can be the nature of T20. We’ve seen over the years that he’s a quality player. If we can cover for him for a few games and he comes into form… Very rarely someone dominates the whole way.”
ALSO READ | Hitting the hard length has been my strength, says Josh Hazlewood
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s charged-up bowling pool lineup will hope to make that task harder for the Super Kings. Fleming was left impressed by the team’s resilience against Rajasthan Royals.
“SRH fought back really well to give themselves a chance against RR. We’d love to have Hyderabad in that situation, but it’ll take a lot of work. Their top order is dynamic. How we deal with that will be one of the key components, because they can take the game away from you very quickly.”
M.S. Dhoni’s availability remains a mystery, with a tight-lipped Fleming saying he is “happy with Dhoni’s recovery.”
Published on Apr 17, 2026
Ruturaj Gaikwad has endured a difficult start to the season, managing just 63 runs, averaging…
For the first time since April 2024, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was able to register two consecutive wins in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team secured a 32-run win over last-placed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to move to eighth on the points table, surpassing fellow five-time champion Mumbai Indians.
At the heart of the victory were two spinners, Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein, who shared four wickets between them. In their eight-over quota, they conceded just 56 runs and picked up wickets at regular intervals to derail the KKR batting unit.
Their ability to complement each other, coupled with inputs from former skipper M.S. Dhoni, fuelled the game-defining performance, feels CSK’s assistant bowling coach Sridharan Sriram.
“They both communicate well, and they’ve got a very good understanding. I think today [Tuesday], Akeal was the one who went and told Noor about the length that he needed to bowl. Noor bowled a bit short in the first over, but once he found that in-between length, he was unplayable,” he said in the post-match press conference.
“Even MS (Dhoni) had a long chat with him (Noor), asking him to bowl more leg breaks. It was really helpful today, and the results were there to show,” he added.
One glaring issue in an otherwise perfect night for the home side was the number of catches dropped. Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and Ajinkya Rahane were all given extra lives. However, they were unable to capitalise on those chances.
“It is something that the fielding coach will definitely address. I think in the last game we set really high standards. So one or two misses are bound to happen, but I think we’ll bounce back,” Sriram said.
Reposing faith
On the flip side, problems persist for KKR, which is languishing at the bottom of the table. One such issue that needs immediate attention is the lack of contribution from Cameron Green. With the ball, he conceded 30 in two overs, and in the chase, fell to Noor Ahmad off the very first ball.
“He hasn’t performed the way he would’ve wanted, yes. But he’s a quality player, and I think he didn’t play a lot of cricket leading into the IPL. Yeah, but of all people, he would be disappointed with himself. I’m sure he’ll bounce back at some stage this season,” said Tim Southee, KKR’s bowling coach.
Adding to the team’s woes, its frontline spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has failed to make an impact so far. After conceding over 12 runs per over in the previous two games, Varun was able to control the damage, going for just over 26 runs in three overs.
“If you look at Varun’s record in the IPL, it’s unbelievable. When you have a record like that and have a rough outing, there will be a lot of outside noise. But looking at the success he’s had with Kolkata and India, I think he will bounce back,” Southee said.
Published on Apr 15, 2026
For the first time since April 2024, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was able to register two consecutive wins in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team secured a 32-run win over last-placed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to move to eighth on the points table, surpassing fellow five-time champion Mumbai Indians.
At the heart of the victory were two spinners, Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein, who shared four wickets between them. In their eight-over quota, they conceded just 56 runs and picked up wickets at regular intervals to derail the KKR batting unit.
Their ability to complement each other, coupled with inputs from former skipper M.S. Dhoni, fuelled the game-defining performance, feels CSK’s assistant bowling coach Sridharan Sriram.
“They both communicate well, and they’ve got a very good understanding. I think today [Tuesday], Akeal was the one who went and told Noor about the length that he needed to bowl. Noor bowled a bit short in the first over, but once he found that in-between length, he was unplayable,” he said in the post-match press conference.
“Even MS (Dhoni) had a long chat with him (Noor), asking him to bowl more leg breaks. It was really helpful today, and the results were there to show,” he added.
One glaring issue in an otherwise perfect night for the home side was the number of catches dropped. Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and Ajinkya Rahane were all given extra lives. However, they were unable to capitalise on those chances.
“It is something that the fielding coach will definitely address. I think in the last game we set really high standards. So one or two misses are bound to happen, but I think we’ll bounce back,” Sriram said.
Reposing faith
On the flip side, problems persist for KKR, which is languishing at the bottom of the table. One such issue that needs immediate attention is the lack of contribution from Cameron Green. With the ball, he conceded 30 in two overs, and in the chase, fell to Noor Ahmad off the very first ball.
“He hasn’t performed the way he would’ve wanted, yes. But he’s a quality player, and I think he didn’t play a lot of cricket leading into the IPL. Yeah, but of all people, he would be disappointed with himself. I’m sure he’ll bounce back at some stage this season,” said Tim Southee, KKR’s bowling coach.
Adding to the team’s woes, its frontline spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has failed to make an impact so far. After conceding over 12 runs per over in the previous two games, Varun was able to control the damage, going for just over 26 runs in three overs.
“If you look at Varun’s record in the IPL, it’s unbelievable. When you have a record like that and have a rough outing, there will be a lot of outside noise. But looking at the success he’s had with Kolkata and India, I think he will bounce back,” Southee said.
Published on Apr 15, 2026
For the first time since April 2024, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was able to register…
After an underwhelming start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has steadied itself, registering back-to-back wins for the first time since 2024.
That upturn has coincided with a sense of continuity. The clash against Kolkata Knight Riders marked the first time this season that CSK fielded an unchanged playing XII, retaining the same combination that faced Delhi Capitals in the previous game. Four pacers and two frontline spinners, with West Indian Akeal Hosein slotted in as the Impact Player, has given the five-time champion balance.
But that balance may not last.
The imminent return of former skipper M.S. Dhoni, currently recovering from a calf strain and expected to be available for the April 18 fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad, complicates the equation.
One option is to deploy Dhoni as an Impact Player. That, however, would likely come at the cost of a pacer, potentially Gurjapneet Singh. The knock-on effect is significant: Shivam Dube, who has bowled just 42 balls in the IPL since 2022, would effectively become the sixth bowling option.
Since 2024, Dhoni has largely operated in the lower order, batting at No. 7 or 8 with a clear brief to maximise the death overs. In that season, he scored 161 runs in 14 matches, striking at over 220 with an average of 53.67.
But the following season, when he briefly resumed captaincy in Gaikwad’s absence, saw a sharp drop. Both his strike rate and average nearly halved, exposing the risks of relying on him beyond a narrowly defined finishing role.
If Dhoni is to return as an Impact Player, that role clarity becomes crucial. He cannot drift into a situational hitter; he has to be a designated finisher.
The alternative is more direct: bring Dhoni into the XI at the expense of either Dube or Sarfaraz Khan.
On current form, Sarfaraz (122 runs @182) makes the stronger case. He has outscored Dube (102 runs @154) this season while maintaining a better strike rate. But the decision is not purely statistical. Dube’s ability to counter spin offers flexibility, especially against teams that stack their attack with slow bowlers.
Dhoni, meanwhile, has shown vulnerability against spin in recent years. Since 2020, he has averaged 25.6 with a strike rate of 95.88 against it; numbers that sit at odds with the demands of a modern finisher. Opposition teams have increasingly responded by holding back an over or two of spin specifically for his arrival, further narrowing his scoring windows late in the innings.
Which leaves CSK with a familiar dilemma, dressed in a new context. Does it preserve a functioning combination or disrupt it for a specialist role that may no longer be as reliable?
Published on Apr 15, 2026
After an underwhelming start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has steadied itself, registering back-to-back wins for the first time since 2024.
That upturn has coincided with a sense of continuity. The clash against Kolkata Knight Riders marked the first time this season that CSK fielded an unchanged playing XII, retaining the same combination that faced Delhi Capitals in the previous game. Four pacers and two frontline spinners, with West Indian Akeal Hosein slotted in as the Impact Player, has given the five-time champion balance.
But that balance may not last.
The imminent return of former skipper M.S. Dhoni, currently recovering from a calf strain and expected to be available for the April 18 fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad, complicates the equation.
One option is to deploy Dhoni as an Impact Player. That, however, would likely come at the cost of a pacer, potentially Gurjapneet Singh. The knock-on effect is significant: Shivam Dube, who has bowled just 42 balls in the IPL since 2022, would effectively become the sixth bowling option.
Since 2024, Dhoni has largely operated in the lower order, batting at No. 7 or 8 with a clear brief to maximise the death overs. In that season, he scored 161 runs in 14 matches, striking at over 220 with an average of 53.67.
But the following season, when he briefly resumed captaincy in Gaikwad’s absence, saw a sharp drop. Both his strike rate and average nearly halved, exposing the risks of relying on him beyond a narrowly defined finishing role.
If Dhoni is to return as an Impact Player, that role clarity becomes crucial. He cannot drift into a situational hitter; he has to be a designated finisher.
The alternative is more direct: bring Dhoni into the XI at the expense of either Dube or Sarfaraz Khan.
On current form, Sarfaraz (122 runs @182) makes the stronger case. He has outscored Dube (102 runs @154) this season while maintaining a better strike rate. But the decision is not purely statistical. Dube’s ability to counter spin offers flexibility, especially against teams that stack their attack with slow bowlers.
Dhoni, meanwhile, has shown vulnerability against spin in recent years. Since 2020, he has averaged 25.6 with a strike rate of 95.88 against it; numbers that sit at odds with the demands of a modern finisher. Opposition teams have increasingly responded by holding back an over or two of spin specifically for his arrival, further narrowing his scoring windows late in the innings.
Which leaves CSK with a familiar dilemma, dressed in a new context. Does it preserve a functioning combination or disrupt it for a specialist role that may no longer be as reliable?
Published on Apr 15, 2026
After an underwhelming start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, Chennai Super Kings…
Viyarppu thunniyitta kuppayam. Athil nirangal mangukilla kattayam. [Dress spun from sweat; more vivid than any story ever told].
The opening lyrics of the song ‘Kuthanthram’ from the 2024 Malayalam classic ‘Manjummel Boys’ left a lasting imprint on people’s minds due to its quirky metaphorical connotation.
Indian batter Sanju Samson had referenced the phrase in a social media post after finding a spot back in the playing eleven after being dropped following a disappointing tour of Australia.
A lot has transpired in Samson’s life since that game in December 2025. He was dropped from the team again. He was reintegrated again. And then he played three career-defining knocks, one after the other, to guide his nation to a third T20 World Cup triumph.
On Saturday, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, another vivid story was written when a drenched-in-sweat Samson yielded his willow after Chennai Super Kings’ first innings against Delhi Capitals. An unbeaten 115 in front of 30,000 yellow-clad fans at his new amphitheatre was the first real indication of a metamorphosis foreseen by many since the 31-year-old traded his longstanding pink for yellow ahead of the new IPL season.
Like most things in his more-than-a-decade-long career so far, this too did not come easy for him. Three consecutive no-shows with the bat, all while being the torchbearer for the side’s new injection of exuberance, almost extinguished the halo of nobility that appeared after his World Cup exploits.
The first ball he faced from debutant Auqib Nabi set the tone for the day. You would imagine that a batter who was dismissed thrice in succession by the ball moving away — twice through an outside edge looking to push away from off-stump — would look to ensure there was no movement on offer before playing a similar shot. Not Samson. He prodded his front foot across, in a sign of immense self-confidence, to caress the ball through the covers and pick up three.
While his opening partner, Ruturaj Gaikwad, struggled to combine both timing and the art of finding the gap together, Samson delivered a clinic in batting against pace in the PowerPlay, combining composure and direction to give his side a rapid start. Two gorgeous fours over extra-cover against Axar Patel followed, after which the Kerala batter slipped his vehicle into autopilot, the likes of which we saw at the victorious multi-nation tournament.
A bothersome back, a dropped catch in the deep, and an unnerving prolonged stint in the 90s later, a fortuitous outside edge of the blade took him to three figures, one that the crowd welcomed with ear-splitting whistles and a standing ovation.
The CSK fanbase has long venerated a wicketkeeper-batter to such a degree that he is now considered to be the son of the soil. The unyielding fandom has grown to such an extent that it forces him to return to play in front of the adoring crowd despite his growing years. It can’t go on forever, though. But now, there is a successor in place, and Saturday at the Chepauk was his first step towards staking a claim to be that leading man.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
Viyarppu thunniyitta kuppayam. Athil nirangal mangukilla kattayam. [Dress spun from sweat; more vivid than any story ever told].
The opening lyrics of the song ‘Kuthanthram’ from the 2024 Malayalam classic ‘Manjummel Boys’ left a lasting imprint on people’s minds due to its quirky metaphorical connotation.
Indian batter Sanju Samson had referenced the phrase in a social media post after finding a spot back in the playing eleven after being dropped following a disappointing tour of Australia.
A lot has transpired in Samson’s life since that game in December 2025. He was dropped from the team again. He was reintegrated again. And then he played three career-defining knocks, one after the other, to guide his nation to a third T20 World Cup triumph.
On Saturday, at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, another vivid story was written when a drenched-in-sweat Samson yielded his willow after Chennai Super Kings’ first innings against Delhi Capitals. An unbeaten 115 in front of 30,000 yellow-clad fans at his new amphitheatre was the first real indication of a metamorphosis foreseen by many since the 31-year-old traded his longstanding pink for yellow ahead of the new IPL season.
Like most things in his more-than-a-decade-long career so far, this too did not come easy for him. Three consecutive no-shows with the bat, all while being the torchbearer for the side’s new injection of exuberance, almost extinguished the halo of nobility that appeared after his World Cup exploits.
The first ball he faced from debutant Auqib Nabi set the tone for the day. You would imagine that a batter who was dismissed thrice in succession by the ball moving away — twice through an outside edge looking to push away from off-stump — would look to ensure there was no movement on offer before playing a similar shot. Not Samson. He prodded his front foot across, in a sign of immense self-confidence, to caress the ball through the covers and pick up three.
While his opening partner, Ruturaj Gaikwad, struggled to combine both timing and the art of finding the gap together, Samson delivered a clinic in batting against pace in the PowerPlay, combining composure and direction to give his side a rapid start. Two gorgeous fours over extra-cover against Axar Patel followed, after which the Kerala batter slipped his vehicle into autopilot, the likes of which we saw at the victorious multi-nation tournament.
A bothersome back, a dropped catch in the deep, and an unnerving prolonged stint in the 90s later, a fortuitous outside edge of the blade took him to three figures, one that the crowd welcomed with ear-splitting whistles and a standing ovation.
The CSK fanbase has long venerated a wicketkeeper-batter to such a degree that he is now considered to be the son of the soil. The unyielding fandom has grown to such an extent that it forces him to return to play in front of the adoring crowd despite his growing years. It can’t go on forever, though. But now, there is a successor in place, and Saturday at the Chepauk was his first step towards staking a claim to be that leading man.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
Viyarppu thunniyitta kuppayam. Athil nirangal mangukilla kattayam. [Dress spun from sweat; more vivid than any story…
Chennai Super Kings opener Sanju Samson said he went back to the basics after three batting failures as he set up his side’s 23-run win over Delhi Capitals with an unbeaten hundred in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Chennai on Saturday.
Samson made 6, 7 and 9 in CSK’s three losses in a row in IPL 2026, before his 56-ball unbeaten 115, studded with 15 fours and four sixes, gave the home side its first win of the season.
“I failed a lot. Failing a lot tells you how to come back. Mentally, you think if you need to go hard or change the gameplan. You need to bring your body and mind to basics,” Samson said at the post-match presentation.
“Basics are to get in a mentally different zone. We need to come back to timing the ball and watching it come out nicely from the bowler’s hand. Very happy things have come (out) nicely today.”
He said it was not easy to join a new franchise—from RR to CSK this season—but the team environment has made it easy for him.
“Really means a lot. The trust they (CSK franchise) showed in me, it was a very responsible feeling that I needed to put in a show and say we are still in the tournament,” said Samson.
“Not easy to start off at a different franchise b,ut it never felt like it. It was like coming to a second home. We just had a meeting of 50 seconds today (despite three losses)—that connects with the kind of person I am.”
On his 113-run partnership with youngster Ayush Mhatre (59), he said, “Very important to have a great partnership. It never looked like he (Mhatre) was coming out of U-19—he was so calculative. Shows the character he has.”
On his hundred celebration, Samson said, “That was for (Stephen) Fleming. I know how hard it can get, leading a franchise for years. Just wanted to dedicate this (innings) to Fleming.”
Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said the team felt good to finally get the win.
“Great performance. We had been batting well. To post 200-210, when the wicket is on the slower side, we were showing good signs. One of those knocks where Sanju took on the opposition, played a magnificent knock. Ayush also. But today was about the bowling. Taking wickets, bowling aggressive lengths. We do not have that X-factor in the bowling, but we have been discussing on how to be more effective and more proactive. In the last few games, we were almost there. Some big overs cost us.
“Bowling-wise, we were on the mark (tonight). We were set back in the PowerPlay, but we came back after it.”
Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel said the fielding was the difference in the match.
“We started well, but after the PowerPlay, we lost quick wickets, and that broke the momentum. The fielding was the difference in the match. Wickets falling in clusters made it tough to regain momentum. Batters did a decent job, but overall, our fielding was a let-down. Want to credit the bowlers, to keep them to that score, despite them having set batters on a good wicket. A couple of dropped catches, had we taken them, it might have been different. Pitch did not change. It was a little more difficult for them (with the dew in the second innings) but they bowled pretty well,” he noted.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
Chennai Super Kings opener Sanju Samson said he went back to the basics after three batting failures as he set up his side’s 23-run win over Delhi Capitals with an unbeaten hundred in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Chennai on Saturday.
Samson made 6, 7 and 9 in CSK’s three losses in a row in IPL 2026, before his 56-ball unbeaten 115, studded with 15 fours and four sixes, gave the home side its first win of the season.
“I failed a lot. Failing a lot tells you how to come back. Mentally, you think if you need to go hard or change the gameplan. You need to bring your body and mind to basics,” Samson said at the post-match presentation.
“Basics are to get in a mentally different zone. We need to come back to timing the ball and watching it come out nicely from the bowler’s hand. Very happy things have come (out) nicely today.”
He said it was not easy to join a new franchise—from RR to CSK this season—but the team environment has made it easy for him.
“Really means a lot. The trust they (CSK franchise) showed in me, it was a very responsible feeling that I needed to put in a show and say we are still in the tournament,” said Samson.
“Not easy to start off at a different franchise b,ut it never felt like it. It was like coming to a second home. We just had a meeting of 50 seconds today (despite three losses)—that connects with the kind of person I am.”
On his 113-run partnership with youngster Ayush Mhatre (59), he said, “Very important to have a great partnership. It never looked like he (Mhatre) was coming out of U-19—he was so calculative. Shows the character he has.”
On his hundred celebration, Samson said, “That was for (Stephen) Fleming. I know how hard it can get, leading a franchise for years. Just wanted to dedicate this (innings) to Fleming.”
Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said the team felt good to finally get the win.
“Great performance. We had been batting well. To post 200-210, when the wicket is on the slower side, we were showing good signs. One of those knocks where Sanju took on the opposition, played a magnificent knock. Ayush also. But today was about the bowling. Taking wickets, bowling aggressive lengths. We do not have that X-factor in the bowling, but we have been discussing on how to be more effective and more proactive. In the last few games, we were almost there. Some big overs cost us.
“Bowling-wise, we were on the mark (tonight). We were set back in the PowerPlay, but we came back after it.”
Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel said the fielding was the difference in the match.
“We started well, but after the PowerPlay, we lost quick wickets, and that broke the momentum. The fielding was the difference in the match. Wickets falling in clusters made it tough to regain momentum. Batters did a decent job, but overall, our fielding was a let-down. Want to credit the bowlers, to keep them to that score, despite them having set batters on a good wicket. A couple of dropped catches, had we taken them, it might have been different. Pitch did not change. It was a little more difficult for them (with the dew in the second innings) but they bowled pretty well,” he noted.
Published on Apr 12, 2026
Chennai Super Kings opener Sanju Samson said he went back to the basics after three…