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In the Indian Premier League 2026, the winning-less string of Chennai Super Kings comes to an end as they secured a 23-run win over Delhi Capitals. A phenomenal century from Sanju Samson in the role of an opener was the star of the show in this contest.

On Star Sports, Suresh Raina said:

"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. 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."

Raina also addressed concerns over DC's dependency on Sameer Rizvi:

"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."That is certainly not needed for someone who is quite inexperienced in IPL cricket. That is my alarm bell, is the fact they lost quick wickets in the middle section of their chase, and they were perfectly set up by the CSK bowlers after five overs, and turned the screws completely on to a side who had been lack-lustre, confidence wise throughout the middle. They let go of that. "

Jamie Overton said:

"Jamie Overton is a serious cricketer for me. He should have been the man of the match. I thought he completely out-thought all of the DC batters with his variations. To pick up four wickets when it was a really, really flat deck should be the thing that separates, it separated him. He is certainly one of the blokes, when a contest is really at the point where it has to be, and you need a man in form, who I'm sure likes the big moments when given the opportunity around the world, in franchise or for England."

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Earlier on in the day, Punjab Kings were winners over the Sunrisers Hyderabad, by six wickets, continuing their winning form.

About PBKS he stated:

"The PBKS batters are having a brilliant campaign and are helping their side well again this IPL. A few seasons back all the PBKS batters played a part in their success to reaching the final and now their batting unit has again delivered a brilliant performance. It's been great to see captain Shreyas Iyer the only batter in the top four who hadn't contributed but comes in this match and gets a score which takes his side over the line in opposition of SRH. I feel that PBKS have tickled all their boxes and are an incredibly formidable outfit, though there may be a couple of question marks to answer like Arshdeep Singh is possibly not bowling to the standard he'd want or Mark Jansen having an off day. I don't feel it is anything serious though and it is a strong title contender."

The former CSK, RCB and DC star also shared his views on the evening game and praised the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad saying:

Faf Du Plessis, speaking on the same show he said:

"I thought that his captaincy has been very good. Even in the previous games there has been no great tactical blunder, or error from his side that is really holding CSK back. To him individually, to get that kind of confidence going, that is massive going forward for him, which I hope goes into his batting. He is a Captain, he can feel it, sometimes feel the weight and burden of what's happening around him. Now that two points are on the board, I hope that that settles Ruturaj down as a Captain, and also hopefully gets it to show in his batting when he walks out."