115* Off 56 Balls, a Record That Belonged to Dhoni and a Statement That Was Three Weeks in the Making

Sanju Samson had been handed every reason to doubt himself in the opening three weeks of IPL 2026 — three failures, one dropped catch, a new franchise, a new city and a weight of expectation that would crush most players. On Saturday night at Chepauk, he answered everything with one of the most dominant innings of the tournament.

The Numbers Behind a Historic Innings

Samson’s 115 not out off 56 balls — 15 fours and four sixes — became the highest score ever made by a designated CSK wicketkeeper in IPL history, eclipsing MS Dhoni’s 84 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2019. He reached his century in 52 balls.

It was his fourth IPL century overall and his first for CSK. The distinction of scoring centuries for three different IPL franchises makes him only the second player in history to achieve the feat — KL Rahul was the first, having made hundreds for Punjab Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals.

Samson now joins that exclusive group: three IPL centuries for three different franchises — Delhi Daredevils, Rajasthan Royals and CSK.

From 0, 9, 4 to 115*: The Typical Samson Pattern

The relief in Samson’s batting on Saturday was visible from the first over. In his previous three innings — 0 against RR, 9 against PBKS, 4 against RCB — he had looked unsure of his feet, confused about field settings, and batting without the natural fluency that made CSK spend Rs 18 crore on him at auction.

On Saturday, the real Samson returned.

The feet moved, the hands followed, and within three overs the boundaries were coming from every angle across the Chepauk outfield. He put on 62 for the first wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad — though Gaikwad was dismissed for 15 by Axar Patel just after the powerplay — and then the real damage was done.

Ayush Mhatre arrived at No. 3 and the two crafted a 113-run partnership in just over 11 overs. Mhatre made 59 off 39 balls before retiring out — using the impact player rule strategically — to allow Shivam Dube to bat at the back end.

CSK finished 212/2 from their 20 overs, setting DC a target of 213.

DC’s Chase: A Miller Masterclass Almost Upstages Everything

Delhi Capitals mounted an extraordinary reply. David Miller — the batter at the centre of last week’s one-run tragedy against Gujarat Titans — clearly had a point to prove, and he delivered. He struck 52 off 28 balls with 11 fours and four sixes, keeping DC’s chase alive deep into the final over.

Delhi needed 14 off the last over and finished on 209/8 — one run short of the target. CSK won by two runs — their first win of IPL 2026.

For the fifth time in IPL history, Delhi Capitals lost a match by two runs or fewer.

Dhoni’s Shadow — and KKR Beckons

MS Dhoni did not feature for CSK on Saturday, having been ruled out by the coaching staff even after a recent batting session in the nets. Reports suggested his return is now targeted for the CSK vs KKR home game at Chepauk on April 14 — though even that carries uncertainty, with sources indicating the “odds are stacked against him” for a speedy return.

For one night at least, CSK did not need him. Sanju Samson — the man signed to be part of the franchise’s future — finally played like the player who won India the T20 World Cup in 2026.

And in doing so, he quietly surpassed the greatest CSK wicketkeeper who ever lived.