Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Sarfaraz Khan produced a moment of brilliance that lit up the MA Chidambaram Stadium during Chennai Super Kings’ clash against Delhi Capitals on Saturday, April 11.
Chasing a daunting 213, Delhi Capitals made a brisk start in the powerplay and looked well on course before the game swung dramatically. Pathum Nissanka and KL Rahul fell off successive deliveries, halting the momentum and shifting the pressure firmly onto the visitors.
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That pressure only mounted when Gurjapneet Singh, on IPL debut, made an instant impact. Induced into a mistake, Axar Patel was sent back courtesy of a stunning catch from Sarfaraz at backward point, turning the tide further in Chennai’s favour.
Stationed inside the ring, Sarfaraz reacted in a flash to a fiercely struck cut shot. Covering ground quickly to his right, he launched into a full-length dive and completed a clean two-handed catch while airborne. Given the pace at which the ball travelled, the margin for error was minimal, making it a standout effort even by T20 standards.
The dismissal left Delhi Capitals wobbling, losing three wickets in quick succession after a promising start. What had seemed like a comfortable chase suddenly turned into a test of temperament, with Chennai tightening their grip through disciplined bowling and sharp fielding.
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Earlier, Chennai Super Kings posted a competitive 212 for two after being asked to bat, riding on a commanding century from Sanju Samson and a fluent half-century from Ayush Mhatre.
Samson, who had endured an indifferent start to IPL 2026, rediscovered his rhythm with an unbeaten 115 off 56 balls, laced with 15 fours and four sixes. It was his fourth IPL hundred, his first for Chennai Super Kings and also the first of the ongoing season.
Looking far more assured than in previous outings, the Kerala batter found his timing early and dominated the innings, bringing up his fifty in 26 balls and his century in 52. He shared a 113-run stand for the second wicket with Mhatre, steadying the innings after an early wicket.
Mhatre, meanwhile, continued to impress with a composed knock, showcasing his range before being retired out to allow Shivam Dube to provide a late flourish.
CSK, who are still searching for their first win of the season, needed a statement performance with the bat, and Samson’s innings provided exactly that, lifting the spirits of the Chepauk faithful.
With that strike, Gurjapneet Singh joined an elite list of players to take a wicket with their very first ball in the IPL.
First-ball wickets on IPL debut
- Ishant Sharma (2008)
- Wilkin Mota (2008)
- S Vidyut (2008)
- Ravi Teja (2008)
- Shane Harwood (2009)
- Amit Singh (2009)
- Charl Langeveldt (2009)
- Kevin Pietersen (2009)
- Ali Murtaza (2010)
- TP Sudhindra (2012)
- Adam Gilchrist (2013)
- Hanuma Vihari (2013)
- Alzarri Joseph (2019)
- Dewald Brevis (2022)
- Matheesha Pathirana (2022)
- Ashwani Kumar (2025)
- Gurjapneet Singh (2026)*
For Gurjapneet Singh, it marked a dream beginning to his IPL career, while Sarfaraz’s brilliance ensured the breakthrough had maximum impact. As Delhi Capitals attempted to rebuild, the required rate climbed steadily, forcing errors against a disciplined Chennai attack.
In a format often dominated by big hitting, it was a moment of exceptional fielding that proved decisive, with Sarfaraz Khan providing the spark that shifted momentum firmly in Chennai’s favour.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
