Sanju Samson’s Return to Form in IPL 2026
Sanju Samson finally broke through his challenging phase in the Indian Premier League 2026, delivering a standout performance by scoring a century against the Delhi Capitals at their home ground on April 11. After struggling in three consecutive matches, the right-handed batter made a strong comeback in front of one of the top teams in the 19th edition of the tournament.
Samson’s century was achieved in just 52 balls, showcasing his aggressive style with 14 boundaries and 3 sixes. His impressive strike rate of over 190 highlighted his dominance on the field. He also contributed significantly to the team’s total by adding over 100 runs with Ayush Mhatre for the second wicket.
This marks Samson’s fourth century in the IPL, with the first three coming during his time with the Rajasthan Royals. He has now scored 26 half-centuries in the tournament. Before joining the five-time champions, Samson spent several years with the RR, eventually making a high-profile move that involved a Rs 18-crore deal. In return, Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran joined Rajasthan.
In the opening match of the new season, Samson was dismissed for just 6 runs. Following that, he managed to score 7 and 9 runs against the Punjab Kings and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, respectively. However, his performance took a positive turn in the home game against the Capitals, where he displayed exceptional form.
Before the start of IPL 2026, Samson was in excellent touch. He played a crucial role in India’s successful campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, scoring over 300 runs. His performances earned him the title of Player of the Tournament, particularly after his impactful innings in the Super 8 match against the West Indies, the semi-final against England, and the final against New Zealand.
With this century, the Chennai Super Kings are hoping for similar performances in the upcoming games. Currently, CSK are positioned at the tenth spot in the points table, and they need consistent contributions from Sanju to salvage their season.
Samson is being considered as a potential successor to MS Dhoni, who is expected to retire after the current season. His performance in the IPL and international cricket has solidified his position as a key player for the team. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Sanju to see if he can maintain this form and lead the team to success.
