Sanju Samson returned to form with a brilliant hundred for CSK against DC.
Having started the tournament with single-digit scores of 6, 7 and 9, the wicketkeeper-batter showed his class against the DC bowlers and became the first batter to reach a three-figure mark in the ongoing IPL.
Samson eventually remained unbeaten on 115 off 56 balls, including 15 fours and 4 sixes, which propelled the hosts to a formidable 212/2 in 20 overs.
In reply, the Capitals were bowled out for 189, with Jamie Overton returning with the impressive bowling figures of 4 for 18 for CSK.
After the win, Samson spoke about the trust shown in him by the CSK management, following his high-profile trade from Rajasthan Royals (RR). As part of the deal, he joined CSK, while RR acquired Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in exchange.
"Yeah, really means a lot, I think. To be very honest. I think the trust they showed in me, I think having that trade, I think it was very responsible kind of a feeling that I need to put in a show. I need to stand up and say, okay, we are still in the tournament. And luckily everything came off very nicely, I think," Samson said at the post-match presentation.
"As you rightly said, it's not easy to start off the tournament like this in a different franchise, but it never felt like it's a different franchise. I think it's like coming to another home. I think people are so sweet, so nice. And everyone is so calm and relaxed. Even losing three games in a row, we just had a meeting of 50 seconds today. I think that shows how relaxed the franchise is and that really connects with the person I am. So I think very happy to be here," he added.
Reflecting on his match-winning ton, Samson admitted that failures had forced him to go back to basics and focus on his mindset and technique.
“To be honest, I think I have failed a lot. So failing a lot tells you how you need to come back. I think so failing a lot definitely mentally you think about, okay, do you need to go a bit hard or do you need to change your gameplan. So mind gets a bit here and there. So I think you need to bring your mind and body to the basics. So I think I am 31 years old and I've spent a lot of time in this sport. So I need to know what my basics are. So I think basics are to get in mentally in a different zone and also physically do your basics right,” Samson remarked.
“I think as a batsman you also know, that we need to come back to timing the ball. Just looking the ball coming out of nicely from the bowler's hand, so all those things. So we did some really good sessions day before with our supporting staff and very happy things have come nicely today,” he explained.
Sanju Samson shared a 113-run partnership with 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre, who scored 59 runs off 36 balls. Samson praised Mhatre's composure and maturity, stating that he did not play like someone who had just come out of the Under-19 level.
“(On his partnership with Ayush Mhatre) Yeah, absolutely. I think it's very important to have a really great partnership in this format. So Ayush, it never looked like he's just coming out of under-19. He's showed so much maturity. I think he was hitting those sixes. Also calculative. So that shows the amount of character and clarity he has in his batting. So really happy,” he said.
Samson celebrated his century with the iconic “Thalaiva salute,” a gesture famously associated with superstar Rajinikanth.
When asked about his celebration, the Kerala lad said it was actually dedicated to CSK head coach Stephen Fleming.
“Yeah, that was I think for Fleming. I think I know that how hard it can get. I think leading a franchise from last five years, I know that how mentally challenging it can be. So I think I just wanted to dedicate this to our coach Fleming,” he concluded.