Sanju Samson’s Return to Form in IPL 2026
Sanju Samson finally broke through his difficult phase in the Indian Premier League 2026, delivering a remarkable century against the Delhi Capitals at their home ground on April 11. After failing to make an impact in three consecutive games, the right-handed batter found his rhythm in front of one of the strongest teams in the 19th edition of the tournament. His century came off just 52 balls, featuring 14 boundaries and 3 sixes. With a strike rate exceeding 190, Samson played a crucial role in the match, adding over 100 runs with Ayush Mhatre for the second wicket.
This was Samson’s fourth century in the IPL, with the first three coming while he was playing for the Rajasthan Royals. He has also scored 26 half-centuries in the tournament throughout his career. Before joining the five-time champions, Samson spent several years with the Rajasthan Royals. He made a significant move to the team before the mini auction, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran being part of the deal that saw him leave RR.
In the opening match of the new season, Samson was dismissed for just 6 runs. The wicket-keeper batter then managed to score 7 and 9 runs against the Punjab Kings and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, respectively. However, he showed signs of returning to form in the home game against the Capitals, where he delivered a stunning performance.
Before the start of the IPL 2026, Samson was in excellent form. He scored over 300 runs during India’s successful campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. His performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award, as he delivered match-winning 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 contributions from Sanju in the remaining matches of the season. Currently, CSK are sitting at the tenth position in the points table, and they need strong performances from Samson to keep their campaign alive.
Samson is also being considered as a potential successor to MS Dhoni, who is expected to retire after the current season. His consistent performances and leadership qualities have made him a key player for the team, and fans are eagerly anticipating his future contributions to the franchise.
