Star batter Sanju Samson received glowing praise from Indian spin legends Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh after delivering a brilliant century that powered Chennai Super Kings to a dominant victory over Mumbai Indians in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 season.
Samson’s unbeaten 101 off 54 balls at the iconic Wankhede Stadium proved to be a decisive knock, helping CSK return to winning ways after struggling in earlier matches.
Kumble Highlights Samson’s Role in Reviving CSK’s Campaign
Speaking after the match, Anil Kumble emphasised the importance of Samson’s innings, particularly at a time when CSK have been trying to regain momentum in the tournament standings.
Kumble pointed out that CSK’s success in past seasons largely depended on strong performances from their opening batters, something that had been inconsistent in recent years.
According to him, Samson has stepped up remarkably, delivering two unbeaten centuries in just seven matches, which has been crucial in stabilising the team’s campaign.
Kumble also compared Samson’s evolving role to that of Jos Buttler during Rajasthan Royals memorable run to the IPL final, noting similarities in match awareness and batting maturity.
Harbhajan Singh Calls It One of Samson’s Finest Innings
Harbhajan Singh described Samson’s century as one of the most impressive innings of his career, praising his exceptional understanding of match situations.
He highlighted that while many players possess natural talent, only a few truly understand how to pace an innings according to the demands of the game.
Harbhajan explained that Samson showed remarkable composure after reaching his half-century. Instead of chasing risky boundaries, he focused on rotating the strike through singles and doubles, ensuring he remained at the crease until the final phase of the innings.
With wickets falling at the other end, Samson took responsibility and guided the team to a strong finish.
For Harbhajan, the knock stood out not just for its runs but for the level of awareness, responsibility, and determination displayed throughout the innings.
Historic Milestone for Samson in CSK History
Samson’s hundred marked a significant milestone in CSK’s history. He became the first CSK player to score a century against Mumbai Indians, one of their fiercest rivals.
Additionally, he became only the second player in the franchise’s history after Shane Watson in 2018 to register two centuries in a single IPL season, further cementing his growing legacy with the team.
Akeal Hosein’s Match-Winning Spell Seals Massive Victory
While Samson laid the foundation with the bat, West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein delivered a match-winning performance with the ball.
After CSK posted 207/6, Hosein produced a sensational spell of 4 wickets for 17 runs, dismantling Mumbai Indians’ batting lineup and helping his side secure a commanding 103-run victory.
Harbhajan Singh praised the aggressive mindset shown by CSK’s spinners, noting that they actively attacked the opposition instead of merely containing runs.
He particularly applauded Hosein’s dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav, stating that the bowler displayed excellent tactical awareness by targeting the batter’s strength against sweep shots.
According to Harbhajan, Hosein’s four-wicket haul was just as impactful as Samson’s century and played a key role in determining the match outcome.
Suresh Raina Praises Samson’s Balance Between Patience and Aggression
Former CSK batter Suresh Raina also praised Samson’s performance, highlighting his disciplined approach early in the innings.
Raina noted that Samson took his time to settle, played with a straight bat, and respected quality deliveries, especially from fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
At the same time, he remained alert to scoring opportunities, capitalising on loose deliveries and placing the ball effectively using the pace of the bowlers.
Raina described Samson’s knock as a perfect example of striking the right balance between patience and attacking intent—qualities that define successful innings in modern T20 cricket.