Sanju Samson Tops The Charts: List Of First Centurions In Each IPL Season

List of first centurions in each IPL season [Source: AP]

The Sanju Samson to CSK IPL 2026 move was deemed a flop after the Kerala batter failed in three consecutive games. Experts had labelled him as “worst signing of the season”, as pressure mounted on the right-handed batter to deliver the goods against the Delhi Capitals on Saturday.

Against the Capitals, Samson’s opening partner, Ruturaj Gaikwad, struggled for runs as he played a sluggish knock, putting the pressure on Samson. However, pressure brings out the best in the Kerala batter, as he rose from the Ashes and smashed the first century of the IPL 2026.

While Gaikwad struggled to even rotate the strike, Samson shouldered run-scoring responsibility as CSK’s dream signing finally announced his arrival with a scintillating ton against the Capitals. With the 31-year-old becoming the first batter to score a century in IPL 2026, here is a list of all the first centurions in every IPL season.

List of first centurions in each IPL season: Samson's name comes four times

• Interestingly, Samson is the player with the most “first centuries of each IPL season.” Four different times he has slammed the first hundred of an IPL campaign, with the latest being in 2026.
• Apart from 2026, he achieved the feat in 2017, 2019, and 2021. Brendon McCullum, the Kiwi batter, has twice held the achievement (2008, 2015), while multiple names have done it once.
• The last three "first centurions in the IPL have all been Indians (Kohli, Ishan, and Samson), as the local players have dominated the proceedings.

Other records attained by Samson with hundred vs DC

With his outstanding hundred vs Delhi Capitals, the right-handed batter attained several other feats, and here is a list of them all.

• Samson now has the joint-fifth most IPL centuries (4). Only Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, Jos Buttler, and KL Rahul have scored more hundreds than him in the IPL.
• In the historic knock on Saturday, Samson slammed 4 sixes and struck his 400th big hit as well. He now has the fourth-most sixes in T20 cricket by Indians, with only Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav ahead of him.
• Samson hammered an unbeaten 115, and this was his second-highest individual score in T20s. His 119 for RR Vs PBKS in 2021 still tops the charts.

Also Read: Why David Warner Is Not Playing For Karachi Kings Vs Kingsmen In PSL 2026?

Samson's IPL journey at a glance

Sanju Samson has been an IPL veteran, having played for a number of franchises. However, his best years came with the Rajasthan Royals.

He became their most successful captain, and also led the franchise to their second-ever IPL final (2022). With the bat, Samson has been highly successful in the league, having scored a plethora of runs.

In 181 matches, the Kerala batter has amassed 4841 runs, with an average of 31, and a strike rate of 139.99.

It was for the Royals where he made a name for himself, scoring 4027 runs, with a strike rate of 141.25.

His CSK journey has just started, but already the veteran IPL batter has scored a majestic century for them under pressure.

Follow CSK Vs DC live updates for a thrilling Capitals chase at Chepauk