Sanju Samson Hits IPL 2026 Century: Breaks MS Dhoni’s Longstanding Record

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opening batsman Sanju Samson delivered a masterclass in the 18th match of IPL 2026, scoring the first century of the season against Delhi Capitals. Samson’s unbeaten knock of 115 runs off just 56 deliveries propelled his team toward a formidable total. Reaching the triple-figure mark in only 52 balls, the right-handed batter showcased exceptional stroke-play, hitting boundaries across all parts of the ground from the very first over.

First Century of IPL 2026 and Innings Highlights

Sanju Samson has officially become the first centurion of the IPL 2026 season. Opening the innings for CSK, he maintained a high strike rate throughout his stay at the crease. His 115-run unbeaten contribution was pivotal in establishing dominance over the Delhi Capitals' bowling attack. According to match officials and statistics, Samson appeared in sublime touch, effectively neutralizing both pace and spin to ensure CSK maintained a scoring rate well above the required average.

Surpassing MS Dhoni’s Longstanding Milestone

With this innings, Sanju Samson has etched his name in the CSK record books by surpassing a milestone previously held by MS Dhoni. Samson now holds the record for the highest individual score by a wicketkeeper-batsman for Chennai Super Kings in IPL history. Previously, MS Dhoni held this record with a top score of 84 runs. While Dhoni typically operated in the middle or lower-middle order, Samson’s role as an opener in his debut season for the franchise has allowed him the opportunity to set this new benchmark.

Climbing the All-Time IPL Century Leaderboard

This marks the fourth IPL century for Sanju Samson, placing him in elite company alongside Shubman Gill and David Warner, who also have four centuries each in the tournament. The all-time record for the most centuries in IPL history is held by Virat Kohli with 8 hundreds, followed by Jos Buttler with 7. Other notable names ahead of Samson include Chris Gayle with 6 centuries and KL Rahul with 5. This latest achievement further solidifies Samson’s reputation as one of the most prolific run-scorers in the league's history.

Historical Context Against Delhi Capitals

Sanju Samson has become only the second batsman from Chennai Super Kings to score a century against the Delhi Capitals. The first player to achieve this feat was Murali Vijay, who scored 113 runs off 58 balls at the same venue back in 2012. Samson’s previous centuries in the league include a 102 against Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017, an unbeaten 102 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and a career-best 119 against Punjab Kings in 2021. His latest 115* adds to a growing list of high-impact performances in the tournament.