Sanju Samson brought out the salute on reaching his hundred during Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) 23-run win over Delhi Capitals (DC) in their 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.
At the post-match presentation, Sanju explained his celebration.
“That was for (Stephen) Fleming. I know how hard it can get, leading a franchise for years. Just wanted to dedicate this (innings) to Fleming,” Sanju revealed.
You are looking at the first centurion of #TATAIPL 2026 🥳🤩
Moments to savour for Sanju Samson and #CSK 💛
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/BzGc6O65jX #KhelBindaas | #CSKvDC | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/VqzFTue09V
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 11, 2026
Back To Basics After Faliures
The star Indian opener revealed that he returned to basics
after three consecutive batting failures. Sanju Samson had scored just 6, 7 and 9 in CSK’s three losses in a row this season. Then he produced a stunning response, smashing an unbeaten 115 off 56 balls, featuring 15 fours and four sixes, which finally gave the home side their first victory of the season and ended their disappointing start.
“I failed a lot. Failing a lot tells you how to come back. Mentally, you think if you need to go hard or change the game plan. You need to bring your body and mind to basics,” Samson said at the post-match presentation.
“Basics are to get in a mentally different zone. We need to come back to timing the ball, and watching it come out nicely from the bowler’s hand. Very happy things have come (out) nicely today.”
‘Another Home For Sanju’
🗣️🗣️ ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? 🏠
Sanju Samson reflects on his match-winning knock and the love from the Chennai crowd 💛
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/BzGc6O65jX #TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #CSKvDC | @IamSanjuSamson | @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/H4X2sug3sB
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 11, 2026
The star of India’s historic T20 World Cup campign said it was not easy to join a new franchise — from RR to CSK this season — but the team environment has made it easy for him.
“Really means a lot. The trust they (CSK franchise) showed in me, it was a very responsible feeling that I need to put in a show and say we are still in the tournament,” said the player of the match.
“Not easy to start off at a different franchise but it never felt like it. It was like coming to a second home. We just had a meeting of 50 seconds today (despite three losses) – that connects with the kind of person I am.”
As for his 113-run partnership with youngster Ayush Mhatre (59), he said, “Very important to have a great partnership. It never looked like he (Mhatre) was coming out of U-19 – he was so calculative. Shows the character he has.”
(With inputs from Agencies)
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