Sanju Samson scripts IPL history — Breaks MS Dhoni’s 461-run record in CSK vs SRH 2026

During the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium at Chepauk, Sanju Samson broke the long-time 461-run record of MS Dhoni that he set many years ago. It was just a reflection of Samson’s superb season with the bat for the franchise. 

Against the Pat Cummins-led side, the Kerala-born wicket-keeper batter made a strong start with his first legal-ball six against Nitish Kumar Reddy off the free-hit and ended up with 27 runs in 13 balls at a strike rate of 207.69, thanks to five boundaries and one six.

Sanju Samson scripts history at Chepauk — The IPL record MS Dhoni held since 2013 just fell in CSK vs SRH 2026

Sanju Samson has now smashed 477 runs in his maiden stint with the five-time champions to be the eighth leading run-getter of the tournament and the highest scorer of the season for the yellow franchise. He has an average of 47.70 in this process at a blistering strike rate of 166.20, thanks to one fifty and two centuries. 

Over the years, MS Dhoni’s dominance with the bat in the lower order has been extraordinary for the 2023 champions. Only three wicket-keepers have ever scored more than 100 runs for CSK in a season- Dhoni, Parthiv Patel (2008), and now Samson. 

Dhoni’s best season as the wicket-keeper in an IPL campaign was in 2013, when he nailed 461 runs in 16 innings at an average of 41.90 and a strike rate of 162.89, thanks to four fifties.

CSK vs SRH IPL 2026 — Samson’s record knock stuns Chepauk with key stats and highlights

Against Hyderabad, Samson timed the full-length delivery over the ropes for a massive straight six before tucking the ball into the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary. He ended the very first over with another four in the deep point fence. The veteran nailed three successive boundaries in the second over against Praful Hinge and raced away to 27 runs off 11 balls.

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The Indian star has now smashed 247 runs in seven innings of the IPL 2026 at home at an average of 41.16 and a strike rate of 169.17 with one century. Among the openers of the edition, he is seventh on the list. 

What does Samson’s 477-run record mean for IPL 2026

Samson’s 477 runs would make a massive impact for the Super Kings in the future. When he came into the franchise in the trading process, many speculated whether he would be able to overcome the expectation and score runs in a ground where he had a very poor average in the IPL before the 2026 season.

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But in the absence of some experienced players, he has shouldered the responsibility at the opening spot and has done a great job equally with the wicket-keeping gloves. The CSK fans will hope to see the veteran continue the same progress in the upcoming seasons. 

Follow CSK vs SRH Live IPL 2026 Match 62 Scorecard-

CSK- 114/4 (Kartik Sharma 32, Pat Cummins 3/16) vs SRH