The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season continues with a highly anticipated, emotionally charged clash on Monday, March 30, as the Rajasthan Royals
(RR) host the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the ACA Stadium in Barsapara, Guwahati.
Both teams are desperate for a positive start after struggling in the 2025 season, where they both managed only four wins and finished at the bottom of the points table. Following the most high-profile trade exchange in league history, fans will be eager to see iconic players face their former franchises in this blockbuster Match 3.
RR vs CSK Match Details
Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2026 Match 3
Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: ACA Stadium, Barsapara, Guwahati
RR Captain: Riyan Parag
CSK Captain: Ruturaj Gaikwad
RR vs CSK Head-to-Head & Venue Stats
Historically, encounters between RR and CSK have been fiercely competitive.
Overall Head-to-Head: In the 31 matches played between the two sides, Chennai Super Kings has won 16, while Rajasthan Royals has secured 15 victories. However, recent trends strongly favor the Rajasthan Royals, who have won 8 of the last 9 meetings against CSK, adding psychological weight to this encounter.
Record at Barsapara Stadium: The venue in Guwahati generally offers a batting-friendly surface with true bounce, though fast bowlers can extract early movement. With a 60% win rate for teams bowling first at this venue, chasing is a significant advantage due to the dew expected in the latter half of the game.
RR vs CSK Preview
Rajasthan Royals (RR):
The Royals enter IPL 2026 under the new leadership of local boy Riyan Parag, who takes charge following the blockbuster trade of Sanju Samson to CSK. They are heavily bolstered by the return of elite all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who joined RR via trade and returns to the franchise he helped win the inaugural 2008 title.
However, the team faced a major setback just weeks before the opener, as Sam Curran was ruled out for the entire season due to injury. To cover the gaps, RR will rely on an explosive top order featuring Yashasvi Jaiswal and 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, while their bowling attack is spearheaded by the returning Jofra Archer and newly acquired wrist-spinner Ravi Bishnoi.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK):
CSK arrives in Guwahati with a well-balanced squad looking to bounce back from a challenging 2025 season. The spotlight is firmly on their star acquisition, Sanju Samson, who takes on his former franchise and enters the match in prime form after his T20 World Cup heroics.
CSK's bowling attack offers tremendous variety, featuring overseas spinners Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein, along with pacers Matt Henry and Khaleel Ahmed. They will be without Nathan Ellis, who has been ruled out and replaced by Australian quick Spencer Johnson.
RR vs CSK Predicted Playing 11
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Predicted XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Riyan Parag (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel(WK), Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nandre Burger.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Predicted XI:
Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson (WK), Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, MS Dhoni, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry.
RR vs CSK Prediction: Who Will Win Today's IPL 2026 Match?
RR boasts an incredibly aggressive top order and a potent spin duo in Jadeja and Bishnoi, but their overall bowling depth remains a slight concern heading into the match. On the other hand, CSK appears to have the upper hand with a highly balanced squad, providing stability and power in their batting, coupled with a versatile bowling attack.
Match Prediction: If Chennai Super Kings bats second, they are the strong favorites due to the chasing advantage and their deep batting lineup. However, if RR chases, the explosive opening pairing of Jaiswal and Suryavanshi could take the game away early.
Overall, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) holds a slight edge to secure the victory in this emotionally charged season opener.
