The M. A. Chidambaram Stadium witnessed a historic masterclass on April 11, 2026, as Sanju Samson (115 runs off 56 balls) etched his name into the record books. Standing in as captain for the legendary MS Dhoni, Samson’s breathtaking century propelled the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a massive total of 212/2 in their high-stakes encounter against the Delhi Capitals (DC).
A Unique Triple Century Record
With his sublime knock today, Sanju Samson became the first player in IPL history to score a century for three different franchises. This unprecedented feat cements his legacy as one of the league’s most versatile and explosive match-winners:
Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals)
Rajasthan Royals
Chennai Super Kings (2026)
Highest individual scores for CSK in IPL
127 – Murali Vijay vs RR, Chennai, 2010
117* – Shane Watson vs SRH, Wankhede, 2018
116* – Mike Hussey vs KXIP, Mohali, 2008
115* – Sanju Samson vs DC, Chennai, 2026*
Samson’s Tactical Dominance
Sanju Samson’s innings was a textbook display of controlled aggression, as he dismantled both pace and spin with surgical precision. His ability to shift gears provided the backbone of the CSK innings:
Against Pace: 84 runs off 39 deliveries (SR: 215.4), including 11 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Against Spin: 31 runs off 17 deliveries (SR: 182.3), featuring 4 boundaries and 1 maximum.
Record-Breaking Partnerships and Totals
A pivotal moment in the match was the 113-run stand between Samson and the young Ayush Mhatre. This now stands as the second-highest partnership for CSK against DC for any wicket, trailing only the 141-run opening stand between Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad in 2023.
CSK’s 212/2 in 20 overs against DC has entered the ranks of their most dominant performances against the Delhi-based franchise:
223/3 – Delhi – 2023
222/5 – Chennai – 2012
212/2 – Chennai – 2026
211/4 – Pune – 2018
CSK’s bowling unit has struggled recently, but defending a target of 213 at Chepauk provides them with their best opportunity yet to secure their first win of the 2026 season. With Samson in record-breaking form and the “Yellow Army” finding their rhythm, the pressure now shifts entirely to the Delhi Capitals’ batting lineup.
