The much-anticipated IPL 2026 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings will take place at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, with both teams entering the tournament with fresh combinations and high expectations.
In a major setback for CSK, veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni will miss the opening games, having been ruled out for the first two weeks due to injury. His absence puts additional responsibility on the squad, especially on captain Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead from the front.
Samson Headlines CSK Line-up
All eyes will be on Sanju Samson, who is set to make his debut for Chennai Super Kings after a high-profile trade from Rajasthan Royals. The swap deal, which involved Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, has added a new dimension to both teams.
CSK’s batting will also rely on players like Sarfaraz Khan, Matthew Short, and Shivam Dube. However, the team will miss the services of Dewald Brevis. On the bowling front, Matt Henry, Noor Ahmad, and Khaleel Ahmed are expected to play key roles.
Rajasthan Royals Eye Strong Start
Rajasthan Royals will look to make the most of home advantage, with young opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi expected to provide an aggressive start alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Captain Riyan Parag will anchor the middle order along with Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer.
Their bowling attack appears formidable, featuring Jofra Archer, Adam Milne, and Ravindra Jadeja, making RR a well-balanced and dangerous side.
Pitch Report
The Barsapara surface in Guwahati has historically favored bowlers. The average first-innings score at the venue remains below 150, indicating that batters may need to apply themselves carefully. Pacers and spinners alike are expected to get assistance, making it a challenging pitch for free-flowing stroke play.
Head-to-Head Record
The rivalry between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings has been evenly matched over the years:
- Matches Played: 32
- CSK Wins: 16
- RR Wins: 16
With both teams level, this match could tilt the balance in favor of either side.
Probable Playing XIs
Rajasthan Royals (RR):
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Adam Milne
Impact Player: Aman Rao Perala
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
Sanju Samson (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Rahul Chahar, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Player: Kartik Sharma
With key players switching teams and Dhoni missing out, this contest promises to be unpredictable. CSK will look to overcome early setbacks, while RR will aim to capitalize on familiarity with conditions.
Fans can expect a tightly contested encounter as both teams begin their IPL 2026 journey with high stakes.
