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Gaikwad Hails Samson as CSK's Backbone After Win Over DC

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad hailed Sanju Samson as the team's batting backbone after his unbeaten 87 led CSK to victory over Delhi Capitals. Gaikwad credited the bowlers for the team's revival, noting their quiet efficiency in sticky conditions. He emphasized that CSK's success is built on communication and situational awareness rather than excessive talk. Gaikwad also praised Kartik Sharma for his impressive 41, saying he just needed momentum to showcase his skills.

Key Points: Gaikwad: Samson is CSK's Backbone After IPL 2026 Win

  • Gaikwad calls Samson the backbone of CSK's batting
  • Bowlers credited for team's revival in IPL 2026
  • Samson's unbeaten 87 helps CSK chase 156 with 15 balls left
  • CSK now at 10 points, two away from top five
2 min read

IPL 2026: Gaikwad hails Samson as CSK's 'backbone', credits bowlers for turnaround

CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad praises Sanju Samson as the team's backbone after his unbeaten 87 leads to a win over Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026.

"On the batting side, more than grateful to have Sanju after the tournament he had in the WC, he's our backbone. - Ruturaj Gaikwad"

New Delhi, May 5

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said the team's revival in the Indian Premier League 2026 has been built on the quiet efficiency of its bowlers, while describing wicketkeeper- batter Sanju Samson as the 'backbone' of the batting unit after his match‑winning unbeaten 87 against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Samson's knock ensured that CSK chased down 156 with 15 balls remaining and are at ten points, which is just two points away from the crowded top five in the points table. "I think even initially, after the 2nd and 3rd game, Flem and myself were positive, we were closer to what we were last year.

"Sanju had come along, and the bowling was doing well. We then got a couple of wins, and everyone started to gel together," Gaikwad said after the match ended at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.

On Samson's knock, where timing and power made for a fantastic combination, Gaikwad was effusive in his praise. "On the batting side, more than grateful to have Sanju after the tournament he had in the WC, he's our backbone. "But it's the bowlers who do the job. Akeal and Jamie come and silently do the job. Anshul is someone who does his job silently. He had a bad game today, but they've all come well together," he added.

Gaikwad stressed that CSK's approach to adapt to sticky conditions was built on communication and situational awareness. "We don't (talk much) really well, we just let each other know what the wicket is doing and then assess the situation. Then it's all about how the match is going."

Gaikwad signed off by praising Kartik Sharma for hitting an impressive 41. "I think the skillset was already there; there was no such development, just that he needed some momentum. We were also chasing big targets, and he didn't get time. Last match, he got some time, he can play an all-around game and hit the pockets well."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
Ruturaj is such a mature captain. He doesn't take all the credit, always praises the bowlers and the support staff. That's the CSK culture right there. Akeal and Jamie have been brilliant this season, doing the hard yards without much fanfare.
J
James A
Interesting to see how CSK keeps reinventing themselves. After Dhoni, everyone thought they'd struggle, but Gaikwad has built a solid unit. Samson as the backbone makes sense—he's been their most consistent batsman this IPL.
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Vikram M
One thing I don't understand is why they keep playing Anshul when he's clearly having a bad patch. But credit to Gaikwad for backing his players publicly. Kartik Sharma's 41 was a pleasant surprise—hope he gets more opportunities now.
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Emma D
The way CSK chases down 156 with 15 balls to spare shows their experience. They don't panic, they just rotate strike and wait for the right time to accelerate. Samson's 87* was a masterclass in pacing an innings.
K
Kavya N
Love how Gaikwad said "we don't talk much, we just let each other know what the wicket is doing" — that's pure cricketing intelligence. No overcoaching, just understanding the situation. Also, Samson's sixes through the covers were pure class! 🏏
R

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