“ Sanju Samson Is Batting At His Peak Right Now ”: Irfan Pathan About His Innings Against Delhi Capitals
SRH Vs PBKS , Today Match at TATA IPL 2026 Live Streaming on JioHotstar
Chennai Super Kings registered a clinical eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in the TATA IPL 2026. Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Google Search AI Mode Match Centre Live’, JioStar experts Irfan Pathan and Mark Boucher analysed Sanju Samson’s knock, while also breaking down ‘Fearless Prodigy’ Kartik Sharma’s contribution and Akeal Hosein’s crucial impact with the ball.
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Google Search AI Mode Match Centre Live’, JioStar expert Irfan Pathan spoke about Sanju Samson’s innings:
“Sanju Samson is batting at his peak right now, and what stands out is his game awareness. He’s very clear about which bowlers to target and which ones to respect. You could see that, he was cautious against someone like Lungi Ngidi, but the moment a less threatening option came on, he shifted gears and capitalised. That understanding of match-ups is outstanding. More importantly, he’s taking responsibility to finish games, especially on tricky surfaces, and doing it consistently. That’s what defines a batter in top form.”
On ‘Fearless Prodigy’ Kartik Sharma’s knock:
“What really stands out in Kartik Sharma’s batting is his ability to dominate the off-side, especially against spin. He reads variations well, even picking the googly early, which makes it difficult for bowlers to contain him in the middle overs. He’s shown that he can take on both, spin and pace, and the confidence from his previous performances is clearly carrying through. Those shots over cover, particularly against quality spinners, show the kind of range he has, and that can have a big impact on his growth as a batter going forward.”
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Google Search AI Mode Match Centre Live’, JioStar expert Mark Boucher lavished praise on Sanju Samson’s composure:
“Sanju Samson showed exactly what you expect from a senior player. He stayed calm under pressure, didn’t panic, and picked his moments to attack. When the game started to slow down and dot balls built pressure, he took it upon himself to shift the momentum. Batting alongside a youngster, he also played a key role in guiding the innings, which will be a valuable learning experience at the other end. What stood out was his control, he never looked rushed and made a challenging chase look comfortable with a complete, all-round innings.”
On Akeal Hosein’s impact:
“Akeal Hosein made a big impact because he consistently hit the right areas and made full use of the conditions. There was noticeable turn in the surface, especially in the first innings, and CSK’s spinners exploited that really well. That early phase proved crucial; Delhi Capitals weren’t able to read the conditions or adjust their approach accordingly. There were also key decision-making moments, like not managing the strike effectively in the Powerplay, which could have made a difference. Credit to the Captain for using Akeal at the right time, it was a decisive move that shifted the game early.”
Watch Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings in today’s TATA IPL 2026 Revenge Week fixture, at 7:30 PM, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network
