Chennai Super Kings (CSK) registered their first win of the season with a commanding 23-run victory over Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 18 of TATA IPL 2026.

Asked to bat first, Chennai Super Kings made an explosive start. Samson set the tone immediately, driving debutant Auqib Nabi through the covers and never letting up thereafter. While Ruturaj Gaikwad played second fiddle, Samson dominated the powerplay, racing to 45 off 19 balls as CSK posted 61/0 in the first six overs. Gaikwad, meanwhile, was happy to play the support act and fell soon after the fielding restrictions were lifted, dismissed by Axar Patel for 15 off 18.

That brought Ayush Mhatre to the crease, and alongside Samson, he turned the innings into a one-sided affair. The pair added 113 runs off just 67 balls, taking full advantage of a sloppy fielding effort from Delhi, who missed a run-out chance against Mhatre and dropped both batters once in the deep. Mhatre played a polished hand, scoring 59 off 36 balls with three fours and four sixes, before being retired out in the 18th over.

With a solid platform in place, Shivam Dube joined Samson to provide the finishing flourish. The duo added 37 off just 15 balls, lifting CSK to a formidable 212/2. Dube chipped in with 20 off 10 balls, but the night belonged to Samson, who brought up his maiden hundred for CSK, finishing unbeaten on a magnificent 115 off 56 deliveries, laced with 15 fours and four sixes.

𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲. 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹. 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹. 🔥

Drop an emoji for Sanju Samson's performance tonight? 👇

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/BzGc6O65jX #TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #CSKvDC | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/gI918IKo2i

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In reply, DC began with intent. Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul raced to 61 in just 4.5 overs, putting CSK under early pressure. However, Rahul’s dismissal off the final ball of the fifth over, bowled by Khaleel Ahmed, triggered a collapse. By the end of the eighth over, DC had slipped to 76/4, losing Nissanka, Rahul, Axar Patel, and Sameer Rizvi in quick succession.

Axar’s dismissal was particularly noteworthy, falling to debutant Gurjapneet Singh, who became the 11th bowler in history to pick up a wicket with his very first delivery on his IPL debut. The moment was capped by a stunning catch from Sarfaraz Khan at point.

Worthy of watching on loooop! ➰

🎥 Sarfaraz Khan with a 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥 of a grab 🫴

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Tristan Stubbs and David Miller attempted to rebuild, but Miller was undone by a beauty from Jamie Overton, who proved to be the game’s standout performer with the ball. Ashutosh Sharma, introduced as the Impact Player, injected brief hope with a quickfire 19 off 10 balls, but his dismissal left DC needing 64 off 31 balls, with the onus firmly on Stubbs.

Stubbs fought hard, compiling a valiant 60 off 38 balls, but lacked support at the other end. His dismissal in the 19th over effectively sealed the contest, with DC still 30 runs adrift.

MAXIMUMS x 2⃣

Tristan Stubbs' 60(38) kept #DC's interest alive till the end 👏👏

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CSK wrapped up the innings on the final ball, bowling DC out for 189 to complete a comprehensive win. While Anshul Kamboj impressed with figures of 3/35, it was Jamie Overton who stole the show, returning 4/18 in his four overs — the best bowling figures of the season so far — including the key wickets of Miller, Rizvi and Stubbs.

Samson was named Player of the Match for his match-defining unbeaten century. The win lifts CSK off the bottom of the table to ninth, while DC slump to their second consecutive defeat, now placed fourth after four matches.

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