IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals, Match 18 - Who Said What?

The Chennai Super Kings got themselves off the mark in the 2026 Indian Premier League with a 23-run win over the Delhi Capitals in Match 18 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Being put into bat, the Super Kings got to 212/2 at the end of their 20 overs, courtesy a brilliant unbeaten 115 off just 56 balls from Sanju Samson. He manipulated the field with ease and displayed the elegance associated with his batting. Ayush Mhatre scored 59, supporting Samson before Shivam Dube’s quickfire unbeaten 20 off 10 took CSK to an imposing total.

The hosts carried that momentum forward into their second innings as they never allowed Delhi to settle in their batting innings. They were superb in the field and kept picking up wickets in key phases of the innings.

Jamie Overton picked up four wickets, while Anshul Kamboj finished with three. Pathum Nissanka scored 41 off 24 at the top, while Tristan Stubbs played a valiant hand of 60 off 38, but it was not enough as the Capitals were bowled out for 189. This was the CSK’s first win of the 2026 season, and it leaves the Kolkata Knight Riders as the only winless team in this edition.

Talking Points

1) Sanju 'Chettan' arrives in style

Sanju Samson’s trade to the Super Kings was one of the most talked-about transfers in IPL history. After a string of low scores to start the IPL season, Samson finally announced himself in front of the Chepauk faithful with a brilliant knock of 115. His innings, coming off just 56 balls, was laden with the trademark mix of power and smarts that is associated with the best of his knocks. 

With 15 fours and four maximums, he manipulated the field and displayed his wide array of shots, a feature he displayed amply during his marvellous T20 World Cup campaign. Lovingly called 'Chettan' (Malayalam for older brother), CSK fans will be hoping that this is just the start for their new star man.

3) Mhatre becomes the first to be retired out in IPL 2026

The 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre became the first batter to be retired out in IPL 2026. The Mumbai batter scored his second half-century of the season. He was batting on 59 off 36 balls when he was called out in favour of Shivam Dube in the 18th over. The decision paid off for the Super Kings, with Dube’s late fireworks helping them reach 212/2 at the end of their 20 overs, it will be a point of discussion due to Mhatre being well-set at that point. The youngster also looked visibly disappointed when he walked off.

3) Is Ruturaj Gaikwad batting at the wrong position?

Chennai Super Kings' skipper found success in his short 2025 campaign batting at number 3. He excelled in taking on the spinners and scoring once the ball got a bit older. In 2026, he has once again pushed himself up to open the batting. He had a poor outing against the Capitals, scoring 15 runs off 18 balls. He has not been able to make his mark, with two single-digit scores and a highest score of 28. This begs the question of whether his position is at the top of the order or at one-drop. 

4) CSK click with ball and in field

Chennai Super Kings were dismal with the ball in their first three games, but against the Delhi Capitals, they were right on the money. The Capitals were never able to get their innings going due to the regular wickets picked up by CSK bowlers. Jamie Overton was the picK with figures of 4-0-18-4, bowling at pace and hitting the wicket hard, while Anshul Kamboj finished with three wickets. They were also intense in the field, diving around to stop runs and taking brilliant catches.

Who said what

Axar Patel, Delhi Capitals captain

"I think we got off to a good start, but if we talk about the chase, after the powerplay we lost two or three wickets in quick succession, which broke the momentum. I feel the difference in fielding was the game-changing moment for me. And if you look at it, whenever wickets fell, they fell in pairs, which made things very difficult. Wickets kept falling in clusters, and that led to a drop in momentum. I think the batsmen did a decent job, but overall our fielding let us down, because if you look at it, chasing around 213-215 was pretty much possible. I would like to credit the bowlers, they did a very good job restricting the opposition to around 215-217. It was a very good batting wicket. But as I said, if we hadn’t dropped one or two catches in the field, the result could have been different. (Did the pitch slow down?) No, nothing really changed. I think it was tougher for them, maybe because of the dew and they bowled pretty well."

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings captain

"Feels good to finally get the win. It was a great performance to start with. We have been really batting well batting first. This wicket is on the slower side and it was a good total. Sanju took on the opposition and even Ayush played well. Tonight was about the bowlers. We don't have the X-Factor in the bowling but we try to discuss how we can put in something extra. Try and use your lengths really well is something we can do. Even in the last game one or two odd big overs went against us. Yes we were set on the backfoot in the powerplay tonight but we came back very well. Chennai fans are always there behind us no matter what. I have been receiving so many good messages. Wherever we go, they are always backing us. Lovely people enjoying cricket and loving the franchise."

Sanju Samson, Player of the Match

"Really means a lot. The trust they (CSK franchise) showed in me, it was a very responsible feeling that I need to put in a show and say we are still in the tournament. Not easy to start off at a different franchise but it never felt like it. It was like coming to a second home. We just had a meeting of 50 seconds today (despite three losses) - that connects with the kind of person I am (smiles). I failed a lot. Failing a lot tells you how to come back. Mentally, you think if you need to go hard or change the game-plan. You need to bring your body and mind to basics. Basics are to get in a mentally different zone. We need to come back to timing the ball, and watching it come out nicely from the bowler's hand. Very happy things have come (out) nicely today. Very important to have a great partnership. It never looked like he (Mhatre) was coming out of U-19 - he was so calculative. Shows the character he has. (On his hundred celebration) That was for Fleming. I know how hard it can get, leading a franchise for five years. Just wanted to dedicate this (innings) to Fleming."