'Finishing Games Off Is..'! CSK's Samson Puts Team's Fortunes Ahead Of Personal Milestones

Chennai Super Kings cruised to an 8-wicket win over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday in their IPL 2026 clash, restricting DC to 155 before cantering to the target on the back of a blistering half-century from Sanju Samson.

Chasing 156, Samson produced an unbeaten 87 off 52 balls to seal the game with 15 deliveries remaining, while Kartik Sharma offered solid support with an unbeaten 41.

Samson came up with a measured knock to help amplify Chennai’s claims for a playoff spot, and the opener revealed that he has always stayed calm under pressure.

“To be very honest, I am always like this. The biggest change is you are seeing me more in the middle now, so I think that’s why people are saying he’s very calm,” he said.

“Even when I am sitting out, I am just very calm actually. So when I am batting, there is a little more happening, so everyone is watching that yes, this guy is a little more calm,” he said.

Samson also opened up putting the team’s fortunes ahead of his individual milestone when quizzed if he had the desire to push for another ton.

 “I had to be a bit too selfish to get that. So I thought let’s win the game and the other partner was batting really well,” he said.

“So I didn’t want to tell him ‘ take a single, I will get my 100. So I didn’t say that.”

“So I think really enjoyed, I think coming not out, finishing off the game gives you a better satisfaction,” he concluded.

DC chose to bat first but lost early wickets. Pathum Nissanka (19) fell to Mukesh Choudhary and KL Rahul (12) to Akeal Hussain. Noor Ahmed then dismissed Karun Nair (13) and Nitish Rana (15), before skipper Axar Patel was out for 2 to Gurjapneet, leaving Delhi in trouble. Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi rebuilt the innings, with Stubbs making 38 before Jamie Overton removed him, while former CSK player Rizvi finished unbeaten on 40 to take DC to 155/7 in 20 overs.

In reply, Samson opened with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was out for 6 to Lungisani Ngidi. Urvil Patel added a quick 17 off 9 balls, after which Kartik Sharma joined Samson. Samson then controlled the chase, scoring freely while Kartik, fresh from a fifty in his previous game, offered solid support. Their unbroken 114-run partnership took CSK to a comfortable win, moving them to 10 points from 10 matches and boosting their playoff hopes, while Delhi stayed on 8 points from 10 games, with 4 wins and 6 losses.