Sanju Samson played a brilliant innings at Wankhede Stadium and helped Chennai Super Kings put up a strong performance in IPL 2026. His century not only changed the match but also gave fans a memorable moment.
Match situation at Wankhede
CSK came into this match after a difficult phase earlier in the tournament. At Chepauk, they had struggled and missed MS Dhoni due to injury.
On the other side, Mumbai Indians were coming in with confidence after a big win. The Wankhede crowd was fully behind them, and CSK had the challenge of building a strong innings under pressure.
In the early overs, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sarfaraz Khan got decent starts. But MI bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals.
Shivam Dube struggled to score quickly, and Dewald Brevis also got out early. CSK needed someone to control the innings, and that is when Sanju Samson stepped up.
Samson builds the innings smartly
Sanju Samson started carefully and focused on timing the ball rather than hitting big shots early. He kept rotating strike and played safe boundaries.
As the innings moved forward, Samson became more confident. He understood the pitch well and adjusted his game according to the situation.
He avoided risky shots against top bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and waited for easier opportunities to score.
Key moments from Samson’s innings
Samson followed a clear plan throughout his innings:
- He started slow and built a strong base
- He handled pressure when wickets were falling
- He picked the right bowlers to attack
- He accelerated in the final overs
When young bowler Krish Bhagat came into the attack, Samson stayed calm. He did not rush and waited for loose balls before attacking.
In the final over, Samson showed great control and confidence. He completed his century on the last ball and finished with 101 runs.
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Sanju Samson Match Performance
| Player | Runs | Balls | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanju Samson | 101 | — | Century on last ball |
This innings helped CSK reach a strong total and put pressure on Mumbai Indians.
Crowd reaction at Wankhede
Even though the match was in Mumbai, the crowd appreciated Samson’s innings. Many fans had come to support Dhoni, but they stayed to watch Samson’s brilliant knock.
The stadium atmosphere changed as Samson kept scoring. By the end of the innings, even rival fans applauded his performance.
Why this innings was important
This was not just a century, it was a match-winning effort under pressure. Samson showed maturity, patience, and smart decision-making.
His innings helped CSK recover from early setbacks and build a competitive total.
Final thoughts
Sanju Samson proved why he is one of the most reliable batters in IPL 2026. His 101 at Wankhede will be remembered as one of the standout performances of the season.
CSK fans got a new hero for the night, and Samson once again showed his value in big matches.
