Chennai Super Kings got off the mark in the IPL 2026 with a resounding win over Delhi Capitals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday with a 23-run win over the visiting side from the Capital City.
CSK put up a total of 212 runs riding on a Sanju Samson ton and went on to bundle DC out for 189 thanks to Jamie Overton’s four-wicket haul and three scalps form Anshul Kamboj.
Former CSK and Indian star Ravichandran Ashwin opined that the five-time champions have found the best combination following the all-round showing against Axar Patel’s DC.
“CSK will be fighting for the top-four,” Ashwin said.
“I feel that the turnabout has just about happened. They have found the right combination, and all they have to do is look after the fitness of the players
and get them on the field,” he added.
CSK were put to bat first by DC as Sanju opened the innings with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad as the duo put up a 62 runs in the power play before the latter fell to counterpart Axar Patel for 18 off 15.
Ayush Mhatre came in for the fallen skipper and played a solid hand himself as Samson breezed past his half-century. The former RR star took the visitors to the cleaners by banishing the bowling attack past the lines.
The pair put up a 113-run stand as Mhatre breached the fifty-run mark yet again in the season, before retiring hurt as Shivam Dube came in to bat. Samson got to the triple-figure milestone with a boundary before saluting the partisan home crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in a moment of celebration.
Dube chipped in with 20 run at the end as Sanju remained unbeaten on 115 off just 56 deliveries with fifteen fours and four sixes in a dazzling innings to help CSK finish with 212/2 in 20 overs.
Englishman Overton starred for the hosts with the leather by removing four crucial wickets, supported by Kamboj’s impressive three wickets. Tristan Stubbs’ half-century and Pathum Nissanka’s 41 for Delhi went in vain as CSK bowled DC out for 189 in 20 overs.
