Chennai Super Kings secured a comprehensive 23-run triumph over Delhi Capitals, marking their maiden win in IPL 2026. After suffering defeats in their opening three encounters, CSK compiled an impressive total of 212 for 6 across their full quota of overs following Delhi’s decision to bowl first at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium. Sanju Samson unleashed a magnificent unbeaten 115 from 56 deliveries, complemented by Ayush Mhatre’s quickfire 59 off 36 balls. Samson’s explosive innings featured four maximums and 15 boundaries, as he forged crucial stands — a 62-run partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad (15), a commanding 113-run alliance with Mhatre, and an unfinished 37-run collaboration with Shivam Dube (20). Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel (1/39) remained the sole successful bowler for his team. Sanju’s Heroic And CSK Bowlers Showed Dominant Cricket To Claim First Win Of This IPL Season .
TOSS
Delhi Capitals won the coin flip and elected to bowl first.
PLAYING XI
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI):
Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Khaleel Ahmed
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI):
Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul(w), Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel(c), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Auqib Nabi Dar, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS
Following modest contributions of 9, 7, and 6 runs in his previous three appearances, CSK’s marquee signing was overdue for a substantial score, and he certainly delivered. While Gaikwad battled for fluency at the opposite end, Samson injected momentum into the innings by finding nine boundaries during the Powerplay, with over 70 percent of his runs flowing through the off-side. He seemed to experience some discomfort in his lower back and required physiotherapy attention shortly after the Powerplay concluded. Samson reached his maiden half-century for CSK in just 26 balls, achieved soon after Gaikwad departed for an 18-ball 15.
CSK managed 61 runs but appeared to have missed opportunities during the Powerplay, given the docile nature of the pitch. Gaikwad’s struggles intensified the pressure, and several restrictive overs with spread fields limited CSK to 88 for 1 at the ten-over mark. However, Samson and Mhatre attempted to compensate for the slow start. After being granted a reprieve through Pathum Nissanka’s dropped catch, Samson consistently found boundaries, as did Mhatre following his cautious beginning. Mhatre also benefited from fortunate moments – escaping a run-out opportunity when KL Rahul fumbled a throw, and surviving when Kuldeep Yadav spilled a return catch. Mhatre accelerated to a 27-ball half-century with frequent aerial shots, while Samson entered the nineties, propelling CSK to 160 after 15 overs.
Shortly after the century partnership was established, Mhatre received another life when David Miller failed to hold onto a challenging chance. Following a couple of subdued overs, CSK made the tactical decision to retire Mhatre, bringing Shivam Dube to the crease despite Dewald Brevis being available. Dube proved effective immediately, blasting an unbeaten 20 from 10 balls with two boundaries and a six, after Samson completed his fourth IPL century, becoming only the second player after KL Rahul to score hundreds for three different IPL franchises. Samson also cleared the ropes off Ngidi, taking his six count to four alongside 15 fours, as CSK concluded strongly by accumulating 39 runs from the final three overs. Nevertheless, their total appeared 15-20 runs below par at that moment.
DELHI CAPITALS
CSK’s bowling attack initially struggled to challenge Pathum Nissanka and Rahul as the DC opening pair launched aggressively, surpassing 50 within four overs. Akeal Hosein entered as an Impact Player but proved costly, conceding 20 runs in his opening two-over spell. Khaleel Ahmed leaked 16 runs in his first over, matching Anshul Kamboj’s expensive start, as DC established a commanding position.
CSK responded with rapid breakthroughs, beginning when Khaleel induced Rahul to mishit a pull shot. Although Nissanka was dropped by Khaleel, he was soon dismissed at mid-on by Brevis, leaving DC at 66 for 2 after the Powerplay. The score became 66 for 3 when Gurjapneet Singh claimed a wicket with his debut IPL delivery, having Axar Patel caught at backward point through Sarfaraz Khan’s superb catch. Jamie Overton then removed Sameer Rizvi with a bouncer, reducing DC to 76/4 after eight overs. Tristan Stubbs launched Gurjapneet for six, but CSK maintained control as DC reached only 91 at the halfway stage.
David Miller attempted to rebuild alongside Stubbs, but the left-hander was clean bowled by Overton for 17. Impact Player Ashutosh Sharma struck consecutive sixes before Noor Ahmad intervened, claiming CSK’s first wicket by a spinner this season. Overton secured his third scalp by dismissing Auqib Nabi Dar, further isolating DC with Stubbs as their remaining recognized batsman. The South African achieved a 30-ball fifty through a four and six off Gurjapneet, reducing the target to 42 from 18 balls, then 32 from 12. However, he fell to Overton at mid-off after being refused permission to change gloves mid-over, subsequently throwing his helmet in frustration in the dugout. Kamboj collected two wickets in the final over to complete his three-wicket haul, sealing CSK’s convincing victory and their first points of the campaign.
Brief scores:
Chennai Super Kings 212/2 in 20 overs [Sanju Samson 115* (56), Ayush Mhatre 59 (36); Axar Patel 1-39] defeated Delhi Capitals 189 in 20 overs [Tristan Stubbs 60 (38), Pathum Nissanka 41 (24); Jamie Overton 4-18, Anshul Kamboj 3-35] by 23 runs.
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