Samson’s 115* off 56 balls paved the way for CSK's first win in the IPL 2026 season.
Riding on Sanju Samson’s stunning hundred (115* off 56 balls), the hosts racked up a formidable 212/2 on the board. Ayush Mhatre also played a handy knock of 36-ball 59 before being retired out.
During the chase, DC were bowled out for 189, with Jamie Overton returning with the impressive bowling figures of 4 for 18 for CSK.
Speaking during the post-match presentation, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad commended Samson and Mhatre’s brilliant display with the bat.
Gaikwad also expressed pride in the bowling effort, while describing the victory as much-needed to turn around a three-match losing streak.
"Yes, obviously, feels good to finally get that win and to come here and speak to you. But I think it was great performance to start with. I always felt that coming here, we have been batting really well, batting first and to post 200-210 when the wicket is slightly on the slower side and still posting that good total, I think we were showing really good signs even the last game which we played here," Gaikwad said.
"But as I said, today again it was one of those knocks where Sanju actually took to the opposition, played a magnificent knock, even Ayush played brilliantly. But it was about bowling today. It was about wickets in the middle or bowling that aggressive lengths and sticking to your plans, keep it really simple. So, really proud of the bowling effort," he added.
The captain further emphasized a focus on proactive, disciplined bowling to compensate for a lack of "X-factor" bowler.
“(Happy with the bowling effort?) Well, definitely we don't have that X-factor in our bowling lineup, but as we have been discussing every game, how we can be effective, how we can be proactive and how we can save that extra boundary. But being attacking as well, you may have defensive fields, but you try and be attacking, try and use your lengths really well. That's what you can do at your best. And I think even the last few games, we were almost there, it's just that one or two odd overs that really went big, over 20 or 25 that really cost us. So I think today, as I said, bowling-wise, we were right on the mark. Yes, we were set on the back foot in the powerplay, but I think after that, we came back really well,” Gaikwad remarked.
Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed gratitude for the immense support from Chennai fans at matches despite a poor start to the season.
“(On the crowd support) Yes, Chennai fans, they are always there behind us no matter what. I've been receiving so many messages, so many good wishes, wherever we go, they are always backing us. They are always supporting us. And that's what this side of the country it is. It is just about lovely people just enjoying the cricket and loving the franchise,” he concluded.