IPL 2026: CSK beat DC by 23 runs as Sanju Samson slams 115; Overton, Kamboj shine

The Chennai Super Kings registered their first win of IPL 2026 with a commanding 23-run victory over the Delhi Capitals at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

Chasing a daunting target of 213, Delhi Capitals finished at 189/9 in 20 overs despite a fighting half-century from Tristan Stubbs. CSK’s bowlers held their nerve in the second half to seal the game after a dominant batting display earlier in the evening.

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Delhi’s chase began on a promising note, with Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul stitching together a 61-run opening partnership in just 6.2 overs. The Capitals raced to 57/0 in the power play, their best start of the season, putting early pressure on the hosts.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically soon after. Anshul Kamboj triggered a collapse by dismissing both openers in quick succession, reducing DC from 61/0 to 86/3 within a span of three overs.

Stubbs tried to anchor the innings with a well-compiled 60 off 38 balls, striking three fours and four sixes, but lacked support from the other end.

The decisive moment came in the 17th over when Jamie Overton picked up two crucial wickets, effectively ending DC’s hopes of a comeback.

Overton was the standout performer with the ball, returning exceptional figures of 4/18 in his four overs, while Kamboj also impressed with 3/35. Maheesh Theekshana also chipped in with a wicket.

Earlier, it was Sanju Samson who laid the foundation for CSK’s big total with a sensational unbeaten 115 off 56 balls. Opening up about his innings, Samson admitted that a string of low scores had affected his confidence coming into the game.

“Even a couple of failures can put a lot of doubts in your mind. I just wanted to go back to my basics, believe in myself and stick to my scoring patterns. Luckily, it came off beautifully today,” Samson said.

The wicketkeeper-batter was in sublime touch, smashing 15 fours and four sixes at a strike rate of over 200. His knock was well supported by Ayush Mhatre, who contributed 59, as the duo built a crucial partnership to propel CSK past the 200-mark.

Samson also highlighted how the pitch at Chepauk played differently across phases. “It was a bit sticky early on, especially in the power play, but got much better to bat on as the ball got older,” he noted.

With this win, CSK finally opened their account in IPL 2026, while DC will look to regroup after falling short in what initially seemed like a promising chase.

CSK vs DC IPL 2026: Playing XIs

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Khaleel Ahmed.

Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel (c), KL Rahul (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Sameer Rizvi, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Aqib Nabi, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar.