Sanju Samson continued his strong form in IPL 2026 with another decisive innings against Delhi Capitals, guiding Chennai Super Kings to a comfortable win and placing himself alongside Virat Kohli and KL Rahul in a rare statistical list.
Samson’s unbeaten 87 off 52 balls played a central role in CSK’s eight-wicket victory, which marked their fifth win of the season and kept them in contention for a playoff spot.
Match Summary
After winning the toss, Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel opted to bat first at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. However, CSK’s bowlers made early inroads, with Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein leading the effort to dismantle the top order.
Despite regular wickets, contributions from Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi helped DC reach 155 for 7 in their allotted overs.
Samson Anchors the Chase
CSK lost Ruturaj Gaikwad early, while Urvil Patel made 17 before departing. Samson then combined with Kartik Sharma, who scored 41, to stabilise the chase and take the side to victory.
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Samson’s innings included seven fours and six sixes, ensuring CSK reached the target with ease.
Entry into Elite Record List
With this knock, Samson took his tally to 402 runs in IPL 2026, averaging 57.43 at a strike rate of 167.50. Notably, 202 of those runs have come against Delhi Capitals this season.
He has now become only the third batter in IPL history to score more than 200 runs against a single opponent in one edition, joining Kohli and Rahul.
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Most Runs vs One Opponent in an IPL Season
- 209 – Virat Kohli vs Gujarat Lions, 2016 (100* & 109)
- 206 – KL Rahul vs Mumbai Indians, 2022 (103* & 103)
- 202 – Sanju Samson vs Delhi Capitals, 2026 (115* & 87)
- 196 – Chris Gayle vs Pune Warriors India, 2013 (175* & 21)
- 193 – KL Rahul vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 2020 (132* & 61)
Consistency Across the Season
Samson’s performances have placed him among the leading run-scorers this season. Alongside him, Virat Kohli has accumulated 379 runs at an average of 54.14, while Rahul leads the Orange Cap standings with 445 runs.
The trio’s consistency has been a defining feature of IPL 2026, with each playing a key role for their respective teams.
