Delhi: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) delivered a clinical performance with disciplined bowling to restrict the runs, while Sanju Samson’s phenomenal anchoring innings of an unbeaten 87 ensured a comfortable victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) by 8 wickets (with 15 balls to spare) in the 48th match of the IPL season 2026 on 5 May at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The match began with DC winning the toss and electing to bat first. However, they faced an early setback against the spin duo of CSK, Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad, who delivered an incredible performance by controlling the run rate and taking crucial wickets. DC struggled with batting fluency at the start of the innings. Pathum Nissanka (19 off 15 balls) got out early, dismissed by Mukesh Choudhary. KL Rahul was dismissed by Akeal Hosein for 12 off 13 balls. After that, middle-order batters Nitish Rana (15 off 13) and Karun Nair (13 off 13) were both dismissed by Noor Ahmad. Captain Axar Patel (2 off 6 balls) also failed, falling to Gurjapneet Singh. With this collapse, DC were reeling at 69 for 5 by the end of the 11th over. In this situation, Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi revived the innings by constructing a vital 65-run partnership for the 6th wicket. They handled the middle overs cautiously and then accelerated in the death overs. Rizvi provided much-needed momentum with a superb unbeaten 40 off 24 balls, including two sixes, while Stubbs played a perfect supporting role with an unbeaten 38 off 31 balls. This effort propelled DC to 155 for 7 after 20 overs. Akeal Hosein finished with an impressive spell of 1 wicket for just 19 runs in 4 overs. Tight bowling and quick wickets suppressed the run flow effectively.
Chasing 156, CSK opened with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson. Ruturaj was dismissed early by Lungi Ngidi for 6 off 13 balls in the third over. Urvil Patel came in at number three and played a quick cameo of 17 off 9 balls before being dismissed by captain Axar Patel. At that point, CSK were 45 for 2 in 6.3 overs. Sanju Samson took charge and commanded the chase with his flawless and calculated shot selection against both spin and pace. He played with remarkable composure, delivering a magnificent and match-winning knock of 87 off 52 balls, including 7 fours and 6 sixes. With this innings, Sanju Samson created a record. Earlier this season, he had also scored an unbeaten 115 against Delhi Capitals in Chennai. That innings took his total tally against DC this season to 202 runs, making him the third-highest aggregate by a batter against a single opponent in a single IPL edition, behind only Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.
Alongside him, Kartik Sharma maintained a steady tempo at the non-striker’s end, contributing a valuable unbeaten 41 off 31 balls. The duo stitched together an immaculate 114-run partnership. Kartik finished the chase with a boundary, thereby sealing the victory at 159 for 2 in just 17.3 overs. DC’s bowling attack failed to take crucial wickets at the right time.
With another outstanding innings, Sanju Samson was deservedly named Player of the Match. CSK now hold the 6th position with 10 points, moving closer to the playoff race, while DC suffered another defeat at their home ground and remain in 7th position with 8 points.
