🏏 IPL 2026: Match 3, RR vs CSK at Guwahati 🏏 - Page 2

Thanks for the tag 😊

Today we will have karwa ke mera trade, mera inteqam dekhegi moments

The road to revival begins - The 2026 season of the Indian Premier League makes its first visit to Guwahati, as Rajasthan Royals take on Chennai Super Kings at the ACA Stadium. After underwhelming campaigns last season, with the Royals finishing 9th and the Super Kings ending at the bottom in 10th, both sides come into this contest eager to reset. Two teams that were particularly active in the trade window, even striking deals with each other, will be hoping those moves help reshape their fortunes this season. Guwahati continues to serve as the alternate home venue for the Rajasthan Royals, and this season, they will play their first three home fixtures here before shifting base to Jaipur for the remainder of their home games.

Life at RR without Sanju Samson - A big question surrounding the Royals this season is how will life be without Samson? The long-time talisman and the franchise's leading run scorer moves on, leaving behind not just a significant weight of runs but also leadership and stability. Stepping into that role is Riyan Parag. While he led the side for a few games in Samson's absence last season, this marks his first stint as the full-time captain. It is a significant moment for him, beginning the campaign at his home ground, with the added responsibility of leading from the front both as a batter and as a leader. There is also a notable shift in the coaching setup. Following the exit of Rahul Dravid, Kumar Sangakkara takes on a more hands-on role as head coach, having been closely associated with the franchise since 2021 as Director of Cricket.

Indian core in focus - Rajasthan's batting continues to revolve around a strong Indian core. Yashasvi Jaiswal remains the cornerstone at the top, alongside Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who will be keen to avoid the dip often associated with a breakout season. Dhruv Jurel provides stability in the middle order, while Parag himself adds both solidity and flair. Overseas pieces in the puzzle - Shimron Hetmyer comes into the season on the back of a strong T20 World Cup campaign, where he impressed in his new role at number 3. Whether RR choose to continue with him in that position or revert to his familiar role in the middle order will be an interesting call. Another exciting prospect is Lhuan-dre Pretorius, the young South African opener. However, with Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi likely to be the first-choice opening pair, opportunities for him could be limited unless there is a reshuffle in the batting order.

Balance through all-rounders - The all-rounders add significant depth and balance to this Rajasthan setup. Ravindra Jadeja's return to the franchise, where he was part of their inaugural season success, is a major boost. The trade window saw a major reshuffle, with Sanju Samson moving to Chennai Super Kings, while Jadeja and Sam Curran were brought in. However, Curran being ruled out of the season due to injury is a setback. In his place, Dasun Shanaka has been drafted in, offering a reliable like-for-like replacement with his ability to contribute with both bat and ball. Donovan Ferreira is another multi-dimensional player as he can impact the game with the bat, chip in with the ball, and even take on wicketkeeping duties if required.

Pace battery loaded with options - The 2008 champions have opted for a pace-heavy attack this season, giving Riyan Parag a wide range of options to work with. The overseas contingent features Jofra Archer and Adam Milne, both capable of generating express pace, while the South African duo of Kwena Maphaka and Nandre Burger add a left-arm angle and further variety to the attack. Among the Indian seamers, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, and Yudhvir Singh continue from last season, providing familiarity and experience.

Spin trio with local flavour - The spin department is equally intriguing, built around a trio of wrist spinners. Ravi Bishnoi, released by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the auction, leads the attack with his ability to control the middle overs while also being a consistent wicket-taker. Yash Punja, a tall leg-spinner, will be one of the players to watch this season, while Vignesh Puthur, the left-arm wrist spinner who was part of the Mumbai Indians last year, has found a new home with the Royals.

From title to turmoil - After being crowned champions in 2023, the Chennai Super Kings have endured a dip over the past couple of seasons. They will be keen to turn things around and rediscover their winning formula. Stephen Fleming continues to lead the side as head coach, with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the helm as captain. After missing a significant portion of last season due to injury, Gaikwad will be hoping for an injury-free campaign where he can lead from the front. MS Dhoni, as always, remains a guiding presence within the setup. However, the team will miss his services for the first couple of weeks as he continues his rehabilitation from a calf strain.

New opening pair - With Gaikwad confirming in the lead-up to the tournament that Sanju Samson will partner him at the top, the spotlight will firmly be on this new opening combination. Samson comes into the season on the back of a sensational T20 World Cup campaign, where he was named Player of the Tournament.

Youth meets experience - Beyond the experienced names, CSK's batting lineup is infused with youthful energy. Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre bring flair and aggression, while recruit Kartik Sharma, a wicketkeeper batter from Rajasthan, has already made a name for himself with his six-hitting ability. CSK's investment of INR 14.20 crore reflects the faith they have in his potential. Urvil Patel has shown glimpses of his ability in limited opportunities, and Sarfaraz Khan’s talent remains undeniable.

All-round strength - CSK boast a strong group of hard hitters who can contribute with both bat and ball, led by Shivam Dube. The uncapped duo of Ramkrishna Ghosh and Prashant Veer have also made a strong impression in domestic cricket, with Veer drawing attention for his INR 14.20 crore price tag.

Overseas mix and bowling options - The overseas unit has been dealt a blow with Nathan Ellis ruled out of the season due to a hamstring injury. His replacement, Spencer Johnson, is also recovering from a back injury and is expected to join the squad only around April 21 to 23. Other overseas options include Matthew Short and Jamie Overton, who add all-round value. The Kiwi duo of Matt Henry and Zakary Foulkes make up the overseas pace attack. When it comes to the Indian contingent, Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Choudhary provide left-arm variety, while Anshul Kamboj offers a right-arm option. Noor Ahmad, who enjoyed an impressive IPL 2025 season as the second-highest wicket-taker, will once again be central to their spin plans. He will be supported by Akeal Hosein, with Shreyas Gopal and Rahul Chahar strengthening the Indian spin department.

RR vs CSK Pitch Report

A fresh surface is expected to be used for Monday’s clash, though steady rain on the eve of the match meant it remained under covers for most of the build-up. There is a forecast of showers in the afternoon, but conditions are likely to improve by evening, keeping hopes alive for a full contest. Preparations have already taken a hit, with Rajasthan Royals’ practice session shortened due to wet weather. The early phases of the game could see some assistance for bowlers, with moisture in the pitch and outfield, before it settles down under lights and becomes more batting-friendly.

RR vs CSK Match Weather Forecast

The weather is expected to stay largely cloudy through the day, with the possibility of a brief passing shower. Evening conditions could turn humid, with persistent cloud cover and a slight chance of late interruptions due to drizzle. Temperatures are likely to hover between 27°C and 19°C. Positively, the rain threat is expected to ease significantly during match time, with the probability dropping to around 20%, which should allow for smoother playing conditions as the game progresses.

Originally posted by: A_Star39

Thanks for the tag 😊

RCB fan? Nice nice

Thanks for the tag 💛🩷.

Hope CSK wins the match...

Bookmarked..

Since some CSK players are not there, RR is definitely going to win..

Originally posted by: missFiesty_69

RR vs CSK Match Weather Forecast

The weather is expected to stay largely cloudy through the day, with the possibility of a brief passing shower. Evening conditions could turn humid, with persistent cloud cover and a slight chance of late interruptions due to drizzle. Temperatures are likely to hover between 27°C and 19°C. Positively, the rain threat is expected to ease significantly during match time, with the probability dropping to around 20%, which should allow for smoother playing conditions as the game progresses.

Bhai baarish ho rahi hain from few days.

Let's see aaj ka match ho paayega ya nahi.