After the high he had at the T20 World Cup 2026, a lot was expected from Sanju Samson at his new franchise, Chennai Super Kings, but the batter from Kerala failed to replicate the batting form of the World Cup.
After returning scores of 6, 7 and 9 in CSK’s three losses in a row, Samson bounced back with an unbeaten 56-ball 115 not out that helped his team register their first win of IPL 2026. His knock was studded with 15 fours and four sixes as CSK beat Delhi Capitals by 23 runs on Satuday.
Reflecting on the start he had to the season, Samson said that failures give you a perspective how to bounce back.
“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 game-plan. 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 added.
Samson joined CSK on a pre-season exchange deal from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL auction. The wicketkeeper-batsman says coming to a new franchise was not easy but the team environment at CSK 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 need to put in a show and say we are still in the tournament,” said Samson.
“Not easy to start off at a different franchise but 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 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.”
Despite the win, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad called out the fielding lapses in the match.
“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 said.
