The Rajasthan Royals began their IPL 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating the Chennai Super Kings by 8 wickets in the third match of the season held in Guwahati. Continuing their dominance over CSK, Rajasthan extended their winning streak against the Chennai-based franchise, having already beaten them twice in the previous edition.
After losing the toss, Chennai Super Kings were put in to bat first, but their innings never gained momentum. The Rajasthan bowling attack, led by Nandre Burger and Jofra Archer, dismantled CSK’s top order early. Former Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson, playing his first match for Chennai, failed to make an impact against his old team, scoring just 6 runs. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad also fell cheaply for 6, further compounding CSK’s troubles.
The middle order failed to stabilize the innings, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Shivam Dube and other key batters were unable to build partnerships, leaving CSK reeling at 51 for 5 and later collapsing to 94 for 9. At one stage, even crossing the 100-run mark looked unlikely. However, Jamie Overton played a crucial knock of 43 runs, helping CSK reach a modest total of 127 before being bowled out.
In response, Rajasthan Royals made the chase look effortless, thanks to a sensational innings from 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The young batter got an early lifeline when a catch was dropped in the very first over by Karthik Sharma. Making the most of the opportunity, Suryavanshi unleashed a stunning counterattack.
He raced to a half-century in just 15 balls, displaying fearless stroke play and maturity beyond his years. His explosive batting completely took the game away from CSK, leaving their bowlers helpless. Alongside him, Yashasvi Jaiswal played a composed supporting role, ensuring there were no further hiccups in the chase.
Rajasthan comfortably chased down the target in just 12.1 overs, with 47 balls to spare, underlining their complete dominance in the match. This comprehensive victory not only gives Rajasthan a perfect start but also sends a strong message to the rest of the teams in the tournament.
For Chennai Super Kings, it was a disappointing outing. Their batting collapse and ineffective bowling performance exposed several weaknesses that need urgent attention if they are to bounce back in IPL 2026.
