MI Vs CSK, IPL 2026: Sanju Samson's 'Lone Warrior' Century At Wankhede Leaves Internet In Awe

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson enthralled the spectators and fans with a breathtaking century knock in the IPL 2026 clash against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, April 23.

After being put into bat first by MI skipper Hardik Pandya, CSK posted a solid total of 207/6 in 20 overs. Sanju Samson led the visitors' batting with an unbeaten knock of 101 off 54 balls, including 10 fours and 6 sixes, at an impressive strike rate of 187.04, scoring nearly 50% of CSK's total.

For MI, AM Ghazanfar led the bowling attack with figures of 2/25 at an economy rate of 6.20 in his spell of four overs. Left-arm pacer Ashwani Kumar also picked two wickets while conceding 37 runs at an economy rate of 9.20 in his full quota of four overs.

Also Read: Sanju Samson joins Rohit, Jayasuriya in elite MI vs CSK centurions list

Samson's Century Steals Spotlight at Wankhede

Sanju Samson has once again stepped up for the Chennai Super Kings and delivered a commanding, unbeaten century, despite the wickets falling around him at regular intervals. Samson was hoping for a solid opening partnership with struggling Ruturaj Gaikwad, but the CSK skipper was dismissed for 22 at 32/1.

Though CSK wicketkeeper-batter shared brief partnerships with Sarfaraz Khan (14), Dewald Brevis, and Kartik Sharma (18) to take CSK past the 150-run mark, Samson stood firm at one end, took control of the innings, and single-handedly carried CSK's innings. In his 31-run stand for the fourth wicket with Brevis (21), Sanju Samson contributed just nine runs but held firm at one end, allowing the South African to play a quickfire cameo.

Samson completed his fifty in just 26 balls and took another 28 balls to complete another to bring up a majestic unbeaten century, while maintaining a strike rate of over 180. In the final over, Sanju Samson was batting on 85 off 48 balls before smashing three sixes off Krish Bhagat to complete his second century of the season.

What a player Sanju Samson lights up Wankhede with a sensational century ✅ First century by a CSK batter vs MI✅ 5th century in #TATAIPL#TATAIPL 2026 | #MIvCSK | LIVE NOW twitter/CrPljNVO3Y

- Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 23, 2026

When other CSK batters failed to score even 25 runs, with the second-highest score being 22 by Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson stood out with a lone warrior effort. His century knock was so impressive that the MI players shook hands with him as an acknowledgement of his brilliance, as he walked back after a match-defining innings that drew applause from both sets of fans at the Wankhede.

THE LOVE AND RESPECT EVERYONE HAS FOR SANJU SAMSON. ❤️- Surya, Hardik and Bumrah immediately hugged and congratulated Sanju for his century. twitter/y7xVHkwzOY

- Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 23, 2026

With two centuries for the Chennai Super Kings, Sanju Samson became the first player in IPL history to score two centuries for two different franchises, having earlier achieved the same milestone for the Rajasthan Royals.

'People Keep on Doubting, Sanju Samson Keeps on Delivering'

Sanju Samson's century knock against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium has drawn massive praise and admiration on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts hailing it as a“carry-job” masterclass and a“peak Samson” performance that silenced his critics once again.

Taking to their X handles, fans and cricket enthusiasts hailed Samson's century as a pure 'entertainment package', praising his 'BOS player' status, smart and evolved batting approach, and calling it a classic 'carry-job' century where he single-handedly took CSK to a winning total, while the rest of the batting lineup struggled to make any significant impact.

I so enjoy watching Sanju Samson bat. He is what I call a BOS player, there will always be Bums On Seats -people willing to pay to watch him play! And he usually gives terrific value.

- Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) April 23, 2026

Sanju Samson has been very street-smart and calculative with his batting since Suryakumar Yadav mocked him in a press conference. Earlier Samson used to keep hitting, but now he picks his moments attacking when it's on and respecting good balls and bowlers. This change has made...

-!_ (@bholination) April 23, 2026

No player has scored more than 2 centuries for CSK...This is Sanju's first season and that's only half done. He's already got two. Stylish Samson #MIvCSK

- Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 23, 2026

Hitting your 5th century in IPL in the final ball of the innings This is unreal carry job from Sanju Samson from the very first ball till the last When wickets kept on falling, Sanju stayed there till the end, also striking close to 200 twitter/l3P329ULG6

- Sanju Samson Fans Page (@SanjuSamsonFP) April 23, 2026

Playing at the peak looks like the way Sanju Samson is batting. Playing at the peak = Sanju Samson batting!

- Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 23, 2026

People keep on doubting, Sanju Samson keep on delivering. Some mfs were saying that he should be dropped from Indian T20I setup, I mean wtf????Samson literally won POTT for India when India were down & out at their home world cup & he single handedly won us the WC & this is how...

- Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) April 23, 2026

CSK fans are blessed to have Sanju Samson playing for them. What a privilege it is watching this man bat. When he is on song and has rythmn going he is a real delight to watch. One of the best strokplayers in the game. He doesn't realise the amount of joy he gives to cricket... twitter/ev534jIdKk

- Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) April 23, 2026

The real Leader of CSK, who is actually leading from the front Played Sanju Samson. twitter/16IJQrx7F6

- Selfless45 (@SelflessCricket) April 23, 2026

लोग सवाल उठाते रहेंगे... और वो बल्ले से जवाब देते रहेंगे!Sanju Samson ने खेली शानदार शतकीय पारी 54 गेंदों में 101 रनजब टीम को सबसे ज्यादा जरूरत थी, तब उन्होंने दिखाया असली क्लास और दमलोग हर बार उसके खराब वक्त में शक करते हैं,और वो जवाब देते है... अपने बल्ले से। यही है Sanju... twitter/QDQlFykHoT

- Sanju (@SanjuKu79832010) April 23, 2026

Carried CSK today on his own. No real major contribution from others but he made a huge impact with 100 at very good SR. Enjoying opening slot like he did for Team India.#SanjuSamson#MIvsCSK Cricket Vibes_Arjav (@IamArjav) April 23, 2026

Sanju Samson struggled in the early stages of the IPL 2026, scoring just 22 runs in the first games before aggregating 271 runs in the next four outings, showcasing a sharp return to form with consistent and impactful batting performances.

Samson is currently the leading run-getter for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2026, with 293 runs, including two centuries, at an average of 58.60 and a strike rate of 178.65 in seven matches.

Also Read: IPL 2026: Who Will Replace Ayush Mhatre at No.3 in CSK's Playing XI vs MI? Here Are 4 Options

MENAFN23042026007385015968ID1111024654