Sanju Samson laid the muse by bettering his T20 World Cup semifinal heroics on the Wankhede Stadium along with his second hundred of IPL 2026. And Akeal Hosein’s sensational spell sealed the deal because the marquee conflict between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Tremendous Kings (CSK) was a cakewalk for the customer on Thursday.
Samson’s fifth IPL hundred, coupled with Akeal producing arguably the spell of the season, left MI on the mat as CSK registered a thumping 103-run win. After posting 207 for six, CSK bundled MI out for 104 in 19 overs with little fuss, the chase by no means fairly taking off.
Impression Participant Akeal, drafted in for his new-ball utility, struck instantly. His first over noticed MI’s Impression Participant Danish Malewar edge one behind the stumps. Quickly after, Quinton de Kock performed on off Mukesh Choudhary — the pacer gesturing to the heavens in tribute to his mom, who handed away earlier within the week. In his subsequent over, Akeal spun one in from leg stump to fortress Naman Dhir. At 11 for 3, MI was already on the ropes.
The Wankhede, packed and loud, discovered itself outnumbered and outvoiced by a sea of yellow. The onus fell on Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma however Akeal returned to interrupt that resistance, sneaking one by way of Tilak’s defence. Alongside Noor Ahmad, he triggered a collapse — 4 wickets for 3 runs off 9 balls — as MI slipped from 84 for 3 to 87 for seven. Shardul Thakur, on as a concussion substitute for Mitchell Santner, merely delayed the inevitable.
Earlier, Samson had ensured that CSK had an enormous complete to defend. Ruturaj Gaikwad began briskly earlier than falling to Allah Ghazanfar whereas Shivam Dube struggled for timing. The remainder of the top-order maintained strike charges above 150.
Samson, watchful early, opened up with precision later. On 85 initially of the ultimate over, he muscled one over deep midwicket off Krish Bhagat, then, after two dots, carved a large ball over covers. Farming strike, he completed with a pull over sq. leg for a one-bounce 4 — a flourish that helped him rejoice the milestone in type and push MI on the again foot.
Revealed on Apr 23, 2026