Sanju Samson (Image credit: BCCI/IPL/CSK)

NEW DELHI: A new franchise, three single-digit scores, and mounting expectations – the pressure was firmly on Sanju Samson at the start of IPL 2026. The move hadn’t quite gone to plan initially, but the wicketkeeper-batter responded in emphatic fashion when it mattered most.Facing Delhi Capitals, Samson rediscovered his rhythm with a sensational unbeaten 115 off 56 balls, striking 15 fours and four sixes at a blistering strike rate of 205.36. The knock powered Chennai Super Kings to their first win of the season after three straight defeats, while also bringing up the first century of IPL 2026.Having joined CSK from Rajasthan Royals last year, the innings marked a strong turnaround after a lean start to the campaign. Samson also became the first wicketkeeper-batter to score a century for CSK and joined KL Rahul as the only players to register hundreds for three different IPL franchises.Former India and CSK batter Suresh Raina believes the innings could be a defining moment in Samson’s season.“The monkey is off Sanju Samson’s back now after this hundred. It is never easy walking into a new franchise and performing immediately, especially with the expectations Sanju has come in with. Joining the joint most successful side in the IPL comes with hard performance expectations. This century will help Samson silence his critics,” said Raina on Star Sports.Raina also highlighted how Samson’s presence at the top has strengthened CSK’s batting structure.“His presence as an opener sets up CSK’s middle order so much better. When you have the ability to inject Shivam Dube or bring in Ayush Mhatre, he comes in and plays freely because they have got a decent start.“He is batting with a guy who looks in total control of his game. It gives you the luxury. Dewald Brevis didn’t even walk out to bat in this contest against Delhi. That just goes to show what structuring your top order right does for the rest of your team. The flow-on effect is clear,” he added.While Samson’s knock grabbed the headlines, Raina reserved special praise for all-rounder Jamie Overton, whom he felt was the game’s most impactful player.“Jamie Overton is a serious cricketer for me. He should have been the player of the match. He outsmarted all the DC batters with his variations.“The four wickets he picked up on a batting-friendly wicket was the point of difference. He is one of those players you want in the contest when it is on the line. He likes the big moments. Every time he gets an opportunity around the world, whether it is franchise cricket or for England, he gets the job done,” he added.Turning to Delhi Capitals’ performance, Raina expressed concern over their reliance on youngster Sameer Rizvi and a middle-order collapse that saw them bowled out for 189.“When a side like DC has been bailed out a couple of times by one player who is not your international standard superstar, it raises a bit of concern. It is not like Sameer Rizvi is an international standard superstar just yet.“He has come in and started his career really well, so the expectation then comes on him to lead the side. You don’t need that for a player who is relatively inexperienced in IPL cricket.“The alarm bells for me are that they lost wickets in quick succession in the middle phase of the run chase and they were set up beautifully by the CSK bowlers after five overs to really turn the screws on a side that has been down on form and confidence throughout the middle. But then they just relinquished all of it,” concluded Raina.

20-year-old Ayush Shetty’s belligerent run at the Badminton Asia Championships came to an end on Sunday, April 12. Playing the men’s singles final against World No. 2 Shi Yu Qi, Ayush faltered in straight games, losing 8-21, 10-21 in just 41 minutes to clinch a silver medal in his maiden BAC campaign.

Shi Yu Qi’s control over the rally and his ability to play the right shot at the right time had Ayush chasing the game for most of the contest. The 30-year-old Chinese shuttler claimed his maiden Badminton Asia Championships title with a commanding performance in the final.

Badminton Asia Championships: Ayush Shetty vs Shi Yu Qi Final Highlights

With the Asian title in hand, Shi Yu Qi now adds to his World Championship crown, underlining his status as one of the most complete players on the circuit at the moment.

The result, however, should not take away from the tournament that Ayush produced. The 20-year-old put together one of the most impressive runs in recent Indian men’s singles history, beating World No. 7 Li Shi Feng in the opening round, World No. 20 Chi Yu Jen in the second, World No. 4 Jonatan Christie in the quarter-final, and World No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the semi-final. For a player in his maiden Badminton Asia Championships campaign, it was a statement run.

In the final, Ayush was forced on the back foot early. Shi’s precision around the net and his ability to read the drift ensured he controlled the front court exchanges, opening up a 11-6 lead at the mid-game interval in the first game. From there, he raised the tempo, mixing his angles and finishing rallies with sharp cross-court smashes to close out the game 21-8.

Ayush never quite recovered from that start.

The second game briefly offered a different picture. Operating from the slower side of the court, Ayush tightened his defence and began retrieving Shi’s attacking shots with greater consistency. That phase forced errors from the Chinese player, allowing Ayush to build a 7-2 lead and hint at a possible comeback.

But the window was short. Shi quickly recalibrated, cutting down unforced errors and extending rallies to draw mistakes from Ayush. His variety, especially in controlling pace and direction, turned the momentum around. What was a 7-2 lead soon slipped to 8-11 at the interval.

From there, the gap only widened.

Ayush tried to force the issue, going for his attacking shots to break the rhythm, but Shi’s defensive solidity held firm. The rallies began to tilt one way, and the Indian’s errors crept in under pressure. The second game ended 21-10, completing a one-sided final in terms of scoreline, if not effort.

The nature of the loss does not change the larger takeaway from the week. The Badminton Asia Championships is among the most competitive events on the calendar, often featuring a deeper field than even some World Tour events. Shi himself, despite being a world champion and former World No. 1, had taken over a decade to win this title.

For Ayush, this was a first final at this level, and the gap understandably showed.

At the same time, the tournament has firmly placed him in the conversation at the top end of men’s singles. With early exits for players like Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu, it was Ayush who carried India’s challenge deep into the draw. His ability to take down four top-20 players in succession highlighted both his physical capacity and his composure under pressure.

The run is also expected to push him into the top 20 of the world rankings, a significant milestone at this stage of his career. With the BWF World Championships scheduled to be held in India later this year, the country could have multiple men’s singles players in that bracket, strengthening its medal prospects.

For now, Ayush leaves with silver. But more importantly, he leaves with proof that he belongs at this level.

– Ends