Sanju Samson's batting masterclass powers CSK in IPL 2026

CSK's Sanju Samson has scored three 80+ scores this IPL season, ensuring team victory each time.

Samson's consistent excellence Samson delivered his third score of eighty or more runs in IPL 2026 with his new team, and Chennai Super Kings have emerged victorious every time he has surpassed forty runs. This follows his strong performances in the latter stages of the 2026 T20 World Cup, where Samson was named player of the tournament as India claimed the title. ## CSK's reliance on Samson Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed gratitude for having Samson in the team after his outstanding performances in the World Cup and continued success now. He described Samson as the backbone of CSK's batting lineup. The post-match interview highlighted how crucial Samson has become to the side. Gaikwad emphasized the value Samson brings to the team's batting strategy. ## Samson's World Cup adjustments Samson's signature stillness at the crease was absent early in the World Cup. His habit of positioning himself deep in the crease made him susceptible to fuller deliveries. He addressed these issues during a match-winning ninety-seven not out against West Indies in a virtual quarter-final, after which his form stabilized. Samson explained his approach after the game by saying, 'We actually try to find out what works really well for you, and you try to stick to the basics and you trust your hands to do the job in this format. So I think I've been trying to do that from the last two-three months. I've been working a bit on my initial movement and it has been coming off nicely.' ## Samson's technical evolution Samson mentioned he has been staying back in the crease for the past three to five years, emphasizing how comfort influences mindset and confidence when batting. He described it as both a comfort factor and a tactical adjustment. Samson added, 'Yeah, I've been doing it [staying back in the crease] from the last, three to five years, so I think comfort definitely plays a huge role in your mindset and the confidence which you have to go in batting. And then definitely it's a tactical move as well. So according to the bowlers and the wicket, I try to, move around a bit.' ## CSK's standings and upcoming fixtures After six matches in IPL 2026, Chennai Super Kings have accumulated ten points and currently sit sixth in the standings. They are only two points behind the teams positioned between second and fifth places. CSK aim to climb higher in the rankings with their next two games, which are both against the bottom-placed Lucknow Super Giants. The matches are scheduled for May 10 and May 15, with one at home and the other away.