Rajasthan Royals (RR) will likely field Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as openers, with Ravindra Jadeja facing his former team, when they host Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match 3 of IPL 2026 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 7:30 PM IST.
This match carries enormous emotional weight. The blockbuster trade that sent Sanju Samson to CSK and brought Jadeja plus Sam Curran to RR has reshaped both squads.
Furthermore, CSK will take the field without MS Dhoni (calf strain) and Dewald Brevis (side injury). As a result, RR hold a slight edge heading into this contest, especially since they have won 8 of the last 9 meetings between these two sides.
RR vs CSK IPL 2026 Match 3: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Match 3, IPL 2026 |
| Teams | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings |
| Date | Monday, March 30, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati |
| RR Captain | Riyan Parag |
| CSK Captain | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
| IPL Titles (combined) | RR: 1 (2008) | CSK: 5 (6 total) |
Notably, this will be the first CSK match in IPL history without either MS Dhoni or Suresh Raina in the playing XI. That alone makes this a landmark moment for the franchise.
Injury and Availability Updates Ahead of RR vs CSK
Both teams carry injury concerns into this match. However, CSK’s problems run deeper, with three key players unavailable and a replacement pacer still weeks away.
RR: Sam Curran Out for the Season
Sam Curran picked up a groin issue during the T20 World Cup and will miss the entire IPL 2026 season. In response, RR signed Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as his replacement. Shanaka offers power-hitting in the lower order and medium-pace bowling, though he is not a like-for-like swap for Curran.
On the positive side, Jofra Archer appears fully fit and ready to lead the pace attack. Additionally, Ravi Bishnoi, bought for Rs 7.2 crore at the auction, strengthens the spin department significantly.
CSK: Dhoni, Brevis and Ellis All Unavailable
MS Dhoni is undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. According to The Times of India, he could miss the first six CSK matches. He has stayed in Chennai and did not travel to Guwahati with the squad.
Moreover, Dewald Brevis is out of the opener due to a side injury. Head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed this in the pre-match press conference. Brevis might return by April 14 against KKR.
Nathan Ellis is out for the entire season with a hamstring injury. His replacement, Spencer Johnson, will not join the squad until April 21-23, as he recovers from a stress injury. Therefore, CSK face a serious shortage of overseas pace options early in the tournament.
Without Dhoni, Sanju Samson takes the wicketkeeping duties and will open alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad. This also means two uncapped players, Kartik Sharma (Rs 14.20 crore) and Prashant Veer (Rs 14.20 crore), could make their IPL debuts together.
RR Predicted Playing XI vs CSK
RR’s core from IPL 2025 stays intact, with the major addition of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Bishnoi strengthening the all-round balance. Captain Riyan Parag leads in his home city of Guwahati, which adds an emotional edge to this clash.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Opener |
| 2 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Opener |
| 3 | Riyan Parag (c) | No. 3 / Captain |
| 4 | Shimron Hetmyer | Middle Order |
| 5 | Dhruv Jurel (wk) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 6 | Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
| 7 | Donovan Ferreira | All-rounder |
| 8 | Jofra Archer | Pace Bowler |
| 9 | Ravi Bishnoi | Leg-spinner |
| 10 | Tushar Deshpande | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | Sandeep Sharma | Pace Bowler |
Impact Player Options: Adam Milne, Dasun Shanaka, Nandre Burger
RR’s Explosive Opening Pair
The Jaiswal-Sooryavanshi combination is one of the most exciting opening pairs in IPL 2026. Jaiswal provides steady aggression at the top, while Sooryavanshi brings raw power. In IPL 2025, the young opener hit 24 sixes in just 122 balls, averaging a six every five deliveries. Together, they can take any bowling attack apart in the powerplay.
Captain Riyan Parag drops to No. 3, where he can either stabilise if an early wicket falls or accelerate further after a flying start. Playing in Guwahati gives him added crowd support, which could boost his confidence.
Jadeja: The Centre Piece of RR’s Rebuild
Ravindra Jadeja is the most important piece in this match, both tactically and emotionally. He joins RR after spending over a decade at CSK, where he played 254 IPL games and picked up 170 wickets. Furthermore, he is just 15 runs away from 4000 T20 runs, which would make him only the second Indian after Hardik Pandya to complete the double of 4000 runs and 200 wickets in T20s.
His left-arm spin becomes especially useful on the Barsapara surface, where the pitch tends to slow down in the middle overs. Additionally, his knowledge of every CSK batter gives RR an edge that money cannot buy.
RR’s Bowling: Archer Leads a Balanced Attack
Jofra Archer spearheads the pace unit. If fully fit, his speed and bounce can trouble any top order during the powerplay. Alongside him, Sandeep Sharma focuses on swinging the new ball early, while Tushar Deshpande adds death-overs experience.
In the spin department, Ravi Bishnoi and Jadeja form a strong duo. Bishnoi’s leg-spin variations will be key in the middle overs. Some sources, including CricTracker, suggest Adam Milne could replace Tushar Deshpande for extra pace. However, Sportskeeda’s match-day report favours Deshpande.
CSK Predicted Playing XI vs RR
CSK enter this match with a significantly reshaped squad. Without Dhoni, Brevis, and Ellis, their team looks very different from any CSK side in recent memory. Still, the batting firepower with Gaikwad, Samson, and Shivam Dube gives them a strong core to build around.
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) | Opener / Captain |
| 2 | Sanju Samson (wk) | Opener / Wicketkeeper |
| 3 | Ayush Mhatre | No. 3 Batter |
| 4 | Matt Short | All-rounder |
| 5 | Shivam Dube | Middle Order |
| 6 | Kartik Sharma | WK-Batter |
| 7 | Prashant Veer | All-rounder |
| 8 | Jamie Overton | Pace All-rounder |
| 9 | Noor Ahmad | Left-arm Spinner |
| 10 | Matt Henry | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | Khaleel Ahmed | Pace Bowler |
Impact Player Options: Akeal Hosein, Rahul Chahar, Sarfaraz Khan, Anshul Kamboj
CSK’s New Opening Pair: Gaikwad and Samson
Ruturaj Gaikwad returns fully fit after missing most of IPL 2025 due to a hand injury. He showed good form in domestic cricket and will anchor the innings from one end. Alongside him, Sanju Samson faces his former franchise for the first time in yellow. Samson is fresh off his T20 World Cup 2026 heroics and brings both form and motivation into this clash.
At No. 3, Ayush Mhatre gets the nod. The young batter impressed in IPL 2025 with a stunning 94 off 48 balls at Chinnaswamy. However, ESPNcricinfo notes that Urvil Patel and Sarfaraz Khan are also in the mix for this spot.
CSK’s Rs 28.40 Crore Gamble: Kartik and Prashant
The biggest story in CSK’s XI is the likely debut of both Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer. CSK paid Rs 14.20 crore each for these uncapped Indians at the auction, making them the joint-most expensive uncapped players in IPL history. If both debut tonight, CSK will have Rs 28.40 crore worth of untested talent in the middle order. That is either a masterstroke or a massive risk.
CSK’s Bowling: Noor Ahmad Leads the Spin
Noor Ahmad finished as the highest wicket-taker among spinners in IPL 2025 and will anchor the middle overs for CSK. However, the death-overs bowling remains a concern. Matt Henry does a solid job across phases, but he may not be a first-choice option at many other IPL teams. Khaleel Ahmed adds a left-arm seam angle in the powerplay.
Notably, Jamie Overton could play a key role. His pace and lower-order hitting make him a strong all-round pick. However, some reports suggest Akeal Hosein‘s left-arm spin might get the nod instead, depending on how the Guwahati pitch behaves.
Alternate XI Scenarios: What Could Change?
Here are some Possible Alternate Scenarios:
RR: Shanaka vs Ferreira and the Milne Question
The biggest debate in RR’s camp is whether Dasun Shanaka or Donovan Ferreira takes the all-rounder spot. Shanaka offers finishing power and medium pace, while Ferreira, traded from Delhi Capitals, brings a more attacking batting style. Sportskeeda’s match-day report lists Ferreira, but CREX favours Shanaka.
Additionally, Adam Milne could replace Tushar Deshpande if RR want extra overseas pace. However, that would use a fourth overseas slot, limiting future flexibility.
CSK: Overton vs Hosein and the No. 3 Debate
CSK must choose between Jamie Overton‘s pace and Akeal Hosein‘s left-arm spin. On a Guwahati surface that rewards spin in the middle overs, Hosein could be the smarter pick. However, without Brevis and Dhoni, CSK may prefer Overton’s batting depth lower down the order.
The No. 3 spot also remains fluid. Sarfaraz Khan and Urvil Patel are both options alongside Mhatre. Sarfaraz’s domestic form gives him a strong case, but Mhatre’s IPL experience edges him ahead for now.
Barsapara Cricket Stadium Pitch Report for RR vs CSK
The Barsapara pitch typically offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. Unlike the flat decks at Wankhede and Chinnaswamy in the first two matches, this surface has something for both bowlers and batters.
| Pitch Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Surface Type | Balanced; batting-friendly under lights |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 150-170 (IPL average at this venue) |
| Average Runs Per Over | 8.56 in IPL matches |
| Last IPL Match Here | RR 182/9 beat CSK 176/6 by 6 runs (IPL 2025) |
| RR Record at Barsapara | 2 wins, 3 losses in 6 IPL matches |
| Dew Factor | Expected in second innings; helps chasing |
| Spin Assistance | Pitch slows in middle overs; rewards spin |
What the Pitch Conditions Mean for Tonight
A fresh pitch will likely be used tonight. However, rain covered the strip on the eve of the match, which could add some moisture. As a result, fast bowlers may find early movement with the new ball. Once the pitch dries, batting should become easier as the match goes on.
Importantly, spinners like Jadeja, Bishnoi, and Noor Ahmad could thrive in the middle overs when the surface slows down. In IPL 2025, leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took a four-wicket haul in the RR vs CSK match at this venue, which shows that spin plays a big role here.
Guwahati Weather Forecast for March 30, 2026
According to AccuWeather, there are chances of rain during the morning and night in Guwahati. However, evening conditions are expected to be mostly cloudy and humid. Temperature will hover between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius. There is a slight chance of drizzle during the match, but a full game appears likely.
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 31 |
| CSK Wins | 16 |
| RR Wins | 15 |
| Last 9 Meetings | RR 8 – CSK 1 |
| Last 5 Meetings | RR 4 – CSK 1 |
| At Barsapara (IPL) | RR 1 – CSK 0 (1 match played) |
While CSK lead 16-15 overall, the recent trend strongly favours RR. They have won 8 of the last 9 meetings, which is a remarkable run. Furthermore, the only CSK win in the last five came at Chepauk in May 2024, a venue where CSK always perform well.
In their only previous meeting at Barsapara, RR defended 182 against CSK in IPL 2025. Nitish Rana‘s quickfire 81 off 36 balls powered RR, while Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s 63 nearly pulled CSK through before they fell 6 runs short.
Key Player Battles to Watch
Here are Key Player’s Battles:
Jofra Archer vs Sanju Samson
This contest carries personal intensity. Archer has dismissed Samson three times in six T20 innings while giving away just 63 runs off 37 balls. Samson will want to prove a point against his former franchise, but Archer’s pace and bounce make this a tough opening matchup.
Ravindra Jadeja vs CSK’s Batters
Jadeja knows every CSK batter inside out. He trained with them, bowled at them in nets, and understands their weaknesses. His left-arm spin during the middle overs will target Shivam Dube, who traditionally struggles against quality slow bowling. This battle could swing the match.
Noor Ahmad vs Yashasvi Jaiswal
Noor Ahmad‘s left-arm spin against Jaiswal‘s aggressive batting is a battle of control versus intent. Noor finished as the highest wicket-taker among spinners in IPL 2025. If he can restrict Jaiswal in the middle overs, CSK gain a foothold. On the other hand, if Jaiswal attacks Noor early, it could set the tone for RR’s innings.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs Matt Henry
Sooryavanshi‘s raw power against Henry‘s disciplined lines creates a fascinating opening contest. If Henry bowls tight in the powerplay, Sooryavanshi’s aggression could cost him wickets. However, if the young opener connects, even good-length balls can disappear over the boundary.
Impact Player Predictions for RR vs CSK
Here is Impact Player Predictions for both Teams:
RR’s Likely Impact Player: Dasun Shanaka or Adam Milne
If RR bat first and need finishing power, Dasun Shanaka can come in as the impact player to add lower-order muscle. Alternatively, if RR want extra pace while bowling, Adam Milne provides genuine speed. Nandre Burger‘s left-arm pace is another option.
CSK’s Likely Impact Player: Rahul Chahar or Akeal Hosein
CSK’s impact player will depend on the match situation. If the pitch assists spin, Rahul Chahar‘s leg-spin (79 IPL games of experience) could add a second spin weapon alongside Noor Ahmad. Conversely, if CSK need batting firepower, Sarfaraz Khan‘s domestic run-scoring record makes him a strong pick.
RR vs CSK IPL 2026 Match 3: Match Prediction
Rajasthan Royals hold a slight edge going into Match 3 of IPL 2026. Three factors support this view.
Why RR Hold the Advantage
First, recent dominance. RR have won 8 of the last 9 matches against CSK. That kind of psychological edge matters, especially when key CSK players face their former RR teammates.
Second, CSK’s injury problems. Without Dhoni, Brevis, and Ellis, the five-time champions look weakened. Two uncapped debutants in the middle order add uncertainty. In contrast, RR’s squad looks more settled and balanced.
Third, home advantage. Riyan Parag plays in his home city, and the Guwahati crowd will back RR loudly. Additionally, Jadeja’s familiarity with CSK’s batting adds a tactical edge that could prove decisive.
Can CSK Spring a Surprise?
Despite these factors, CSK have the firepower to compete. Samson against his former team is a dangerous proposition. Gaikwad is back at full fitness after a year away. And Noor Ahmad‘s middle-overs spin could choke RR’s batters if the surface slows down. Still, CSK need everything to click on a night where they are missing three first-choice players.
Prediction: Rajasthan Royals to win by 15-20 runs (if batting first) or chase down the target with 5-8 balls to spare (if bowling first).
Toss Prediction: The captain winning the toss will likely choose to bowl first. Dew in the second innings makes chasing easier at Barsapara. Additionally, if there is any moisture from overnight rain, bowling first lets the seamers use it early.
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Final Verdict: Both RR And CSK Have Strong Chances To Win The Game With Strong Squads
Match 3 of IPL 2026 is one of the most story-driven fixtures of the early season. The Samson-Jadeja trade swap, Parag’s captaincy debut in Guwahati, and CSK’s first match without Dhoni or Raina all make this a must-watch encounter.
On paper, RR look more balanced and carry stronger recent form. However, CSK’s batting depth with Gaikwad, Samson, and Dube means they can compete if their bowlers restrict RR to under 180. Expect a competitive match with spinners playing a key role on both sides.
