Bowlers, Samson drag CSK into playoffs mix

Chennai Super Kings bagged two crucial points against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, pulling themselves firmly back into playoffs contention after a stuttering start to their IPL 2026 campaign. On a sticky surface, CSK's bowlers kept the hosts to 155 before Sanju Samson led the chase with an astute, match-defining 87* off 52, stitching together a decisive century stand with Kartik Sharma (41* off 31) to seal an eight-wicket win with 15 balls to spare.

The win takes the five-time champions to 10 points, just behind a tightly packed cluster of teams on 12, with favourable fixtures to come in the run-in.

Brief scores: Delhi Capitals 155/7 in 20 overs (Sameer Rizvi 40* off 24; Noor Ahmad 2-22, Akeal Hosein 1-19) lost to Chennai Super Kings 159/2 in 17.3 overs (Sanju Samson 87* off 57, Kartik Sharma 41* off 31; Axar Patel 1-25) by 8 wickets

Akeal pulls the plug on the Powerplay

Delhi's decision to bat first raised eyebrows. Akeal Hosein found grip and turn straightaway on a sticky surface, making timing a struggle for KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka. Ruturaj Gaikwad doubled down, giving Hosein three Powerplay overs. He eventually forced Rahul into a desperate loft, picked off at mid-off. At the other end, Mukesh Choudhary struck with a pace-off delivery to remove Nissanka, compounding Delhi's early squeeze.

More trouble through the middle for DC

Before Delhi could turn to Sameer Rizvi (starting on the Impact Sub bench), they slid further. Noor Ahmad removed Nitish Rana and Karun Nair, while Gurjapneet Singh trapped an out-of-form Axar Patel.

Rizvi gives something to defend

At 69 for 5 in the 11th over, DC finally brought on Rizvi as the Impact Sub. He stitched together a vital 65-run stand off 47 balls with Tristan Stubbs, the pair cleverly using pace to access areas behind square. Despite hard lengths proving effective, Gaikwad held back Jamie Overton until the 19th over. Delhi capitalised at the death, taking 20 off the final over from Anshul Kamboj to push their total to 155.

Where did CSK win the chase?

After Gaikwad fell early and Urvil Patel provided only a brief spark, Samson dropped anchor. Axar Patel did his job, conceding just 25 from four tight overs. But at the other end, Kuldeep Yadav couldn't sustain it through the middle overs. Each of his three overs saw at least one ball sail over the ropes. CSK took 34 off his spell, bringing the equation down to a run-a-ball finish.

What stood out in Samson's knock?

The clarity of his match-ups. Samson took 25 off 9 from Kuldeep Yadav (three sixes and a four) and followed it up with 27 off 8 against T. Natarajan (three fours and two sixes). That targeted assault meant Delhi were constantly chasing the game.

CSK return home for the first of two back-to-back games against LSG, starting with a Sunday (May 10) clash at Chepauk. Delhi Capitals host KKR on Friday (May 8).