Sanju Samson Shines with Century in IPL 2026 Match Against Delhi Capitals
Samson's Stellar Performance
Sanju Samson finally broke his scoring drought with an impressive century during the IPL 2026 clash at MA Chidambaram Stadium, facing off against the Delhi Capitals. After a challenging start with CSK, where he faced a series of setbacks, Samson made a remarkable comeback, scoring 115 runs off just 56 balls, which included 15 boundaries and four sixes. His performance propelled CSK to a formidable total of 212-2, securing their first victory of the season.
Shashi Tharoor, a prominent supporter of Samson, praised the Kerala batsman for his outstanding century, expressing his belief that Samson would excel after his earlier struggles. He tweeted, "I had a gut feeling last night that after three failures @IamSanjuSamson would come good last night. Cleared the decks and watched the match with quiet and mounting satisfaction. Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram and its MP are rejoicing in Chennai’s victory — and the contribution of a modest Mallu to @CSKCore’s belated success! Keep it going,💪🏼 Sanju!"
I had a gut feeling last night that after three failures @IamSanjuSamson would come good last night. Cleared the decks and watched the match with quiet and mounting satisfaction. Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram and its MP are rejoicing in Chennai’s victory — and the contribution of a… https://t.co/KmrmKp8JGT
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 12, 2026
Samson's Unique Celebration
Samson Lifts Lid Over Padayappa Celebration
Upon reaching his century, Samson celebrated with a distinctive Padayappa gesture, imitating the famous salute from the beloved Tamil film, Padayappa. In the post-match interview, he explained that the salute was a tribute to coach Stephen Fleming for his dedication over the years. "That was for Fleming," Samson stated regarding his Padayappa salute. "I understand how challenging it can be to lead a franchise for five years, and I wanted to honor our coach with this gesture." Reflecting on his century, Samson acknowledged the faith CSK had in him, emphasizing the importance of repaying that trust. "It truly means a lot. The confidence they placed in me during the trade came with a sense of responsibility. I aimed to get the team back on track. Starting with a new franchise is never easy, but the support has been incredible. Everyone has been welcoming and calm, even after three losses; we only had a brief 50-second meeting today. That speaks volumes about my personality," he added.