Mumbai: Sanju Samson delivered a historic performance for Chennai Super Kings, smashing an unbeaten 101 off 54 balls against Mumbai Indians in their IPL 2026 clash at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
The century was not just another milestone—it rewrote the franchise record books, with Samson becoming the first CSK batter ever to score a century against Mumbai Indians in IPL history.
His knock also placed him alongside elite names, achieving feats that even legendary CSK icons like MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Michael Hussey had never accomplished in this high-profile rivalry.
First CSK Century Against Mumbai Indians
Samson’s unbeaten 101 marked a defining moment in the fiercely contested CSK–MI rivalry, often referred to as the IPL’s “El Clasico.”
With this innings, he became:
- First CSK batter to score a century against MI
- Second CSK player after Shane Watson (2018) to score two centuries in a single season
- Holder of the highest individual score by a CSK batter against MI
- First CSK player to hit a century in an IPL “El Clasico” clash
Before Samson’s knock, the highest score by a CSK batter against MI was 88 by Ruturaj Gaikwad in 2021*.
On the Mumbai side, centuries in this rivalry have previously come from Sanath Jayasuriya (114* in 2008) and Rohit Sharma (105* in 2024).
Samson Anchors CSK Amid Middle-Order Collapse
Batting with composure under pressure, Samson anchored the CSK innings after early momentum slowed due to wickets falling at regular intervals.
Despite shaky support from the middle order, he carried his bat through the innings, blending calculated aggression with smart strike rotation.
His innings included:
- 101 runs off 54 balls*
- 10 boundaries
- 6 sixes
Samson paced his innings carefully, playing each delivery on merit and ensuring the team maintained scoreboard momentum even when wickets fell at the other end.
Thanks to his effort, CSK posted a competitive 207 for six against Mumbai Indians.
Early Momentum, But Wickets Slow CSK’s Surge
CSK began brightly, with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Samson attacking early.
Gaikwad looked confident, striking boundaries and a six to take 19 runs off Hardik Pandya’s second over. However, his innings ended on 22 after he mistimed a lofted shot against AM Ghazanfar and was caught by Tilak Varma at long-off.
The middle order failed to capitalise on the platform:
- Sarfaraz Khan scored 14 before being bowled by Mitchell Santner
- Shivam Dube managed just 5 before falling to Ghazanfar
- Dewald Brevis added a quick 21 off 11 balls but was dismissed by Ashwani Kumar
Despite these setbacks, Samson remained composed and ensured CSK stayed competitive.
Mumbai Bowlers Fight Back Despite Samson’s Dominance
Mumbai Indians bowlers tried to regain control during the middle overs.
Jasprit Bumrah started with a disciplined opening spell, conceding just 31 runs while claiming one wicket. Meanwhile, Ghazanfar impressed with figures of 2/25, using drift and spin to trouble the batters.
However, Samson’s resilience proved decisive. In the final over, he sealed his century in style, smashing a towering six off Krish Bhagat before reaching the milestone with a powerful pull shot.
Emotional Tribute by CSK Players
The match also carried an emotional undertone.
CSK players wore black armbands in tribute to the mother of pacer Mukesh Choudhary, who recently passed away. The gesture reflected the team’s solidarity during a difficult personal moment for their teammate.