Samson played a sensational unbeaten knock of 115 off just 56 balls, hitting 15 fours and four sixes, powering Chennai Super Kings to a 23-run victory and their first win of IPL 2026 after three straight defeats.
Kumble analysed the innings in detail, noting Samson’s ability to score all around the ground and his strong preference for playing straight. He said the batter’s decision-making and shot selection stood out, especially his adaptability against different lengths.
“You can see from his wagon wheel that he plays all around the ground. It’s not just off-side or on-side. What was really impressive was his intent to play straight with a full bat,” Kumble said on JioStar.
The former spinner added that converting a start into a big score was particularly significant for Samson, who had previously fallen short of three figures on multiple occasions during India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.
“He didn’t convert those 90s into 100s earlier, but this time he made it count. It was his first hundred for CSK and a big relief for both him and the team, especially after a tough start to the season,” Kumble added.
CSK’s total of 212 for 2 also saw a valuable contribution from youngster Ayush Mhatre, who scored a quick 59 off 36 balls before retiring out as a tactical move.
Meanwhile, former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara highlighted that the win would be a major confidence boost for CSK, stressing the importance of momentum in the IPL.
