Sanju Samson ends guessing game around mystery Chepauk gesture after century, reveals real reason

Sanju Samson scored an unbeaten 115 to help CSK secure their first win in IPL 2026

Updated on: Apr 12, 2026, 07:36:06 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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There was no extravagant, fist-pumping celebration. It would have been very uncharacteristic of Sanju Samson, though. The beaming smile on his face reflected nothing more than a sigh of relief. The century — his fourth in the IPL — came after a string of low scores for Chennai Super Kings, which had begun to raise concerns. But the Chepauk crowd finally saw their new hero rise. They were on their feet, roaring as Samson removed his helmet and raised his bat.

Chennai Super Kings' Sanju Samson celebrates after scoring a century during the 2026 IPL match against Delhi Capitals (AFP)

The India batter, who just a month earlier had produced a stellar showing in national colours to help India lift the T20 World Cup at home, then made a doffing-your-hat gesture and pointed it towards the Chennai dugout.

Who was it for?

Fans wondered, and so did the broadcasters, when he collected the Player of the Match award after Chennai’s 23-run win against Delhi Capitals. Samson revealed it was for head coach Stephen Fleming.

ALSO READ: Sanju Samson's ₹32.94 lakh hundred: CSK star finally backs premium tag with a game-changing knock in IPL 2026

“That was for Fleming. I think I know how hard it can get. Having led a franchise for the last five years, I understand how mentally challenging it can be. So I just wanted to dedicate this to our coach,” he said.

How did Samson perform in IPL 2026?

The wicketkeeper-batter arrived in Chennai following a high-profile trade deal with Rajasthan Royals. The inaugural champions received Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in return, as Samson joined CSK at his existing league fee of INR 18 crore.

Samson was seen as the rightful successor to MS Dhoni — the figure Chennai had long been searching for. The 31-year-old not only brought a wealth of experience as a player and leader, but also commanded a certain aura and fan following that has endured through a turbulent career.

However, Samson had a rough start to the season, including a modest debut where he was dismissed for 6 off 7 balls. In his first three matches, he managed just 22 runs, raising questions over his form.

But Fleming had backed him after his dismissal for nine in the previous game against RCB, and Samson repaid that faith in style, becoming the first centurion of the season. He scored an unbeaten 115 to power Chennai to 212 for 2.

Delhi were restricted to 189, as Chennai registered their first win of the season after three straight losses.

“It’s not easy to start a tournament like this with a new franchise, but it never felt like a different team. It feels like another home. Everyone is so welcoming, calm and relaxed. Even after losing three games in a row, we had just a 50-second meeting today. That shows how relaxed the environment is, and it really suits who I am. I’m very happy to be here,” Samson added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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