Chennai Super Kings (CSK) produced a statement performance at the Wankhede Stadium, crushing Mumbai Indians (MI) by 103 runs—MI’s heaviest defeat in IPL history. The standout performer was Sanju Samson, whose unbeaten century showcased not just class but a deep understanding of match conditions on a tricky surface.
Batting first, CSK posted a formidable total, largely thanks to Samson’s composed 101*. What made the knock special was his ability to adapt. Unlike the typically batting-friendly Wankhede pitch, this surface offered grip and variable pace, forcing batters to rethink their approach. Sanju Samson read it early and built his innings smartly, ensuring he stayed till the end while others struggled to find rhythm.
Coming into the game, Samson’s form had been inconsistent, with three low scores at the start of his CSK journey. However, he responded like a seasoned pro, following up his unbeaten 115 against Delhi Capitals with another match-winning century. This marked his second hundred in just four innings, underlining a strong return to form at a crucial stage of the tournament.
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Speaking after the match, Sanju Samson highlighted the importance of reading the game situation rather than sticking to a fixed template. “I am trying to keep things simple,” he said. “Today the wicket wasn’t a normal Wankhede wicket. The ball was holding, so it was about understanding what the team needed.”
🗣️🗣️ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩
Centurion Sanju Samson on respecting conditions and adapting 🫡
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/gGt34dqUoq#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #MIvCSK | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/VDFSVFlrFF
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 23, 2026
What composure. What striking 💛
𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐮 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 🔥
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/gGt34dqUoq#TATAIPL | #KhelBindaas | #MIvCSK | @ChennaiIPL | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/2Hr9Ui0UEn
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 23, 2026
“We were losing wickets, so I felt it was important for a set batter to stay till the end.” He also emphasized flexibility in approach. “The game tells you what to do. You don’t need to come with a preconceived mindset. It’s about understanding the situation and planning accordingly.”
Sanju Samson admitted he would have accelerated earlier if wickets hadn’t fallen, but finishing strong became the priority.
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“It feels special to score a century at Wankhede against MI,” he added. He also spoke about embracing his new role in CSK and the overwhelming fan support. “Wearing yellow here is new for me. I’ve never seen so much yellow at Wankhede before.”
This innings not only anchored CSK’s victory but also highlighted Samson’s growing leadership and maturity.
