CSK vs DC IPL 2026 LIVE Cricket Score: Samson key for Super Kings, Capitals look for more inroads

This is a strong phase for CSK as they are bossing the middle phase now. They are hitting star DC bowlers Axar Patel, Kuldeep and Ngidi so well. Ngidi's slower ones are not working today. Mhatre is picking them well. Samson is closing in on a ton. He is on 77.

DC could have got both these batters out in this over of Axar, but made a mess of the two chances that they got. On the first ball, Mhatre was way down from his crease after trying for a suicidal run, but Rahul could not collect the ball cleanly and made a mess as Mhatre survived. On the third ball, Samson mishit one to long-off, but Nissanka dropped it as the batter got a four. CSK 88/1 after 10 overs.

Samson brings up his first fifty in CSK colours. A strong knock by the wicketkeeper batter who gets to the mark off 26 balls with a single. The knock started on a bang and now he has settled in for a big knock. Can he get one today? CSK need it.

Aaanndd, Gaikwad's laborious effort comes to an end. He has fallen on 15 off 18 balls. This was short from Axar as Gaikwad went for the pull. Not enough power behind it as Nissanka takes it with ease at deep mid-wicket. Mhatre is now in. 

This is the first time this season that CSK have not lost a wicket in the powerplay. They are off to a good start, all thanks to Sanju Samson, who has made 45 from 19 balls. Gaikwad is buying his time and anchoring. However, he is not going at even 100 SR. He is on 15 from 17 balls. CSK 61/0 after 6.

This was not happening all the season before but CSK are now off to a flier here at Chepauk. This is a strong start with their openers going well. Samson has been particulary strong, having made 30 from 12 balls with six fours. Gaikwad is playing second fiddle with 9 from 12. CSK 40/0 after 4.

Not the best of starts for Auqib Nabi. He goes wide a couple of times. One has been way too wide and Samson cut the other. A four in the first over for CSK as they are up and running at 10/0 after 1 over. Mukesh Kumar is in from the other end.

Chennai openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson are out in the middle. They would look to brush aside the poor opening starts this time. Debutant Auqib Nabi is bowling for DC as he finally makes his debut. This is a fascinating contest.

Delhi Capitals Impact Subs: Vipraj Nigam, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, Dushmantha Chameera, Nitish Rana

Chennai Super Kings Impact Subs: Matthew Short, Akeal Hosein, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Matt Henry

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Khaleel Ahmed

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul(w), Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel(c), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Auqib Nabi Dar, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar

"The pitch does look a bit on the drier side. We were actually 50-50 about the toss, but it’s good to back ourselves. The aim is to put our best foot forward today, get that first win and get on the points table. That’s what we’ve been trying over the last couple of games as well. Like I mentioned in the press conference, we’ve been improving in all departments. The batting has been doing really well, it’s just a few key moments where we’ve missed out, and those are the areas we need to capitalise on. But overall, everyone is in a good space and really eager to go. When you look at the balance of the side, we are definitely playing to our potential. It’s great to have Brevis back, he’s excited and ready. The middle order looks solid as well. We’ve also brought in Gurjapneet Singh, who has been bowling well recently, in place of Matt Henry. For those asking about MS Dhoni, he’s at the hotel watching and supporting us. But yes, very soon, you’ll see him out on the ground," Ruturaj said at the toss.

"We would like to bowl first because the pitch looks good, and whatever score is set, we would prefer to chase it. The IPL is a long tournament and the dressing room atmosphere is very relaxed. The discussion has been around focusing on what we can control, once we reach a certain point, there’s no need to overthink things. So that’s been the mindset, control what’s in our hands. The mood is good. If you look at the balance of our side, we have almost all bases covered. Obviously, based on the options we had, I think we’ve picked a very good combination," Axar said at the toss.

"Compared to last year, the team looks more balanced and hopefully, we perform well today. As for the surface, it has been a good batting wicket this season. Over the last couple of years in Chennai, it has played well. It’s a red soil pitch, so there should be good bounce. Our aim will be to restrict them to as low a total as possible and then chase it down. There are two changes. Nabi comes in for Vipraj, and Ashutosh Sharma replaces Nitish Rana," he added.

Meanwhile, Dewald Brevis is finally back for CSK. Auqib Nabi makes his much-awaited debut as both sides made some changes to their teams for this game. 

Axar Patel has won the toss and he has decided that DC will be bowling first. He says this a good wicket and they will look to chase whatever they get. He adds that the mood in the camp is good despite the one-run loss to GT as this is a long tournament.

There are good signs for CSK as their star power-hitter Dewald Brevis is likely to take the field for this clash. He had recently hinted that he will be playing in the April 11 clash against DC. Meanwhile, there are doubts over MS Dhoni.

The Capitals won their opening two matches of the season - one against Lucknow Super Giants and the other against the Mumbai Indians. They were on the course of a third straight win, but fell one run short against the Gujarat Titans a few days ago. They needed to chase 211 in Ahmedabad, and were struggling before David Miller reignited the hopes. He could have won them the game, but failed to do so when two were needed off two balls. DC will look to bounce back now.

Chennai Super Kings are struggling. There is no doubt about it. The five-time champions have started their IPL 2026 campaign on the back of three consecutive losses. Two away, one at home. Their fortress, Chepauk, is no longer their fortress. They have lost six matches in a row there now. And it could well be seven today if they fail to stop a strong Delhi side.