NEW DELHI: A new franchise, three single-digit scores, and mounting expectations – the pressure was firmly on Sanju Samson at the start of IPL 2026. The move hadn’t quite gone to plan initially, but the wicketkeeper-batter responded in emphatic fashion when it mattered most.Facing Delhi Capitals, Samson rediscovered his rhythm with a sensational unbeaten 115 off 56 balls, striking 15 fours and four sixes at a blistering strike rate of 205.36. The knock powered Chennai Super Kings to their first win of the season after three straight defeats, while also bringing up the first century of IPL 2026.Having joined CSK from Rajasthan Royals last year, the innings marked a strong turnaround after a lean start to the campaign. Samson also became the first wicketkeeper-batter to score a century for CSK and joined KL Rahul as the only players to register hundreds for three different IPL franchises.Former India and CSK batter Suresh Raina believes the innings could be a defining moment in Samson’s season.“The monkey is off Sanju Samson’s back now after this hundred. It is never easy walking into a new franchise and performing immediately, especially with the expectations Sanju has come in with. Joining the joint most successful side in the IPL comes with hard performance expectations. This century will help Samson silence his critics,” said Raina on Star Sports.Raina also highlighted how Samson’s presence at the top has strengthened CSK’s batting structure.“His presence as an opener sets up CSK’s middle order so much better. When you have the ability to inject Shivam Dube or bring in Ayush Mhatre, he comes in and plays freely because they have got a decent start.“He is batting with a guy who looks in total control of his game. It gives you the luxury. Dewald Brevis didn’t even walk out to bat in this contest against Delhi. That just goes to show what structuring your top order right does for the rest of your team. The flow-on effect is clear,” he added.While Samson’s knock grabbed the headlines, Raina reserved special praise for all-rounder Jamie Overton, whom he felt was the game’s most impactful player.“Jamie Overton is a serious cricketer for me. He should have been the player of the match. He outsmarted all the DC batters with his variations.“The four wickets he picked up on a batting-friendly wicket was the point of difference. He is one of those players you want in the contest when it is on the line. He likes the big moments. Every time he gets an opportunity around the world, whether it is franchise cricket or for England, he gets the job done,” he added.Turning to Delhi Capitals’ performance, Raina expressed concern over their reliance on youngster Sameer Rizvi and a middle-order collapse that saw them bowled out for 189.“When a side like DC has been bailed out a couple of times by one player who is not your international standard superstar, it raises a bit of concern. It is not like Sameer Rizvi is an international standard superstar just yet.“He has come in and started his career really well, so the expectation then comes on him to lead the side. You don’t need that for a player who is relatively inexperienced in IPL cricket.“The alarm bells for me are that they lost wickets in quick succession in the middle phase of the run chase and they were set up beautifully by the CSK bowlers after five overs to really turn the screws on a side that has been down on form and confidence throughout the middle. But then they just relinquished all of it,” concluded Raina.
