Cricket-Clear mind does the trick for Chennai's red-hot Samson


Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Chennai Super Kings' Sanju Samson celebrates his half century REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas

NEW DELHI, April 24 (Reuters) - While ⁠some batters arrive at away grounds determined to play a ⁠certain way regardless of the pitch, Chennai Super Kings' Sanju Samson ‌says his red-hot form in the Indian Premier League is a product of adaptability and an open mind.

After single-digit scores in his first three IPL knocks, Samson smashed his ​second hundred of the season against Mumbai Indians ⁠on Thursday, his unbeaten 101 ⁠off 54 balls setting up Chennai's 103-run victory over the five-time champions.

With 293 ⁠runs ‌from seven innings, Samson is now third in the leading scorers' list this season behind Sunrisers Hyderabad duo Abhishek Sharma (323) and ⁠Heinrich Klaasen (320).

Samson said it was not a typical Wankhede ​pitch and he ‌had to adjust his game as the ball did not come ⁠nicely onto the ​bat.

"I think the game tells you what to do," he added.

"I think you don't have to come with a preconceived mindset, or you don't have to ⁠be premeditating -- this is how I play or ​this is what I want to do.

"You can definitely say that this is the way I play... It is my responsibility to understand the game situation, ⁠what the team demands, and then plan my game around it.

"I definitely go with a very open mindset."

The 31-year-old, who was player of the tournament when India defended their T20 World Cup title earlier this year, also ​relished handing Mumbai their biggest defeat in the ⁠IPL in front of their own fans at the Wankhede Stadium.

"It really ​feels great to score a century in Wankhede ‌against MI," Samson said after the win, ​which helped Chennai climb to fifth place in the 10-team league.

(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Peter Rutherford)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Cricket

Cricket-NZ's Bracewell handed two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine
Cricket-New Zealand great Bates to end international career after T20 World Cup
Cricket-Shanto, Rahman fire as Bangladesh seal 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand
Cricket-Pietersen backs Bethell to remain in India for IPL despite Cook's criticism
Cricket-Rajasthan’s Jadeja pleased with middle order's response under pressure
Olympics-Construction begins on cricket stadium for 2028 LA Games
Cricket-Sharma the entertainer helps Hyderabad to win over Capitals
Cricket-Marsh seeks IPL redemption after disappointing T20 World Cup
Cricket-Varma's hundred injects fresh life into Mumbai's stuttering IPL campaign
Cricket-Sri Lanka's Shanaka given one-year PSL ban for unilateral withdrawal

Others Also Read