Last Updated on 3 weeks ago by Charbel Coorey

Rajasthan Royals (RR) will host the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati in the 3rd match of IPL 2026. This promises to be a cracker of a game, as two of the biggest names for both franchises, Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja, have switched teams and will be playing against their respective former teams for the first time.

Rajasthan Royals are looking pretty settled, especially in the batting department. The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel will be the main batters for them. Then they have the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Donovan Ferreira, and Dasun Shanaka as the finishing all-rounders.

Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Adam Milne, and Ravi Bishnoi should be the bowlers for RR. The bowling attack looks a bit lighter, but overall, Rajasthan’s looking pretty balanced as a side with good batting depth and bowling options. 

Meanwhile, the Chennai Super Kings will be in a total revamp this season. MS Dhoni is unavailable due to injury, and there are many young, exciting options for CSK to choose from in the batting department. Sarfaraz Khan, Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, and even Prashant Veer form an explosive batting unit with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson leading at the top.

However, the bowling looks like the biggest concern for CSK as Nathan Ellis is ruled out of the IPL due to injury and Spencer Johnson, who’s been brought in as his replacement, will also join later in April. So Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein with Jamie Overton will be the available bowling options for CSK. Their use of the impact sub will be crucial as well, considering their bowling. 

IPL 2026 3rd Match: RR vs CSK Probable Playing XIIs

Rajasthan Royals: 1. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 3. Shimron Hetmyer, 4. Riyan Parag (c), 5. Dhruv Jurel (wk), 6. Donovan Ferreira, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. Tushar Deshpande, 10. Ravi Bishnoi, 11. Sandeep Sharma 

Impact Sub: Shubham Dubey/Adam Milne/Nandre Burger

Chennai Super Kings: 1. Sanju Samson (wk), 2. Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), 3. Urvil Patel, 4. Sarfaraz Khan, 5. Kartik Sharma, 6. Dewald Brevis, 7. Shivam Dube, 8. Prashant Veer, 9. Noor Ahmad, 10. Matt Henry, 11. Khaleel Ahmed 

Impact Sub: Akeal Hosein/Jamie Overton

Barsapara Cricket Stadium Guwahati Pitch Report and Weather

The average first innings score at Guwahati was 166 runs in 2025. The dimensions are of decent size, and the wicket is expected to be a balanced one. The ball will come onto the bat nicely, and the batters can play their shots, but some movement with the new ball is expected with the spinners coming into play as the game progresses. 

Chasing sides have won 11 of the 20 T20s played at this venue in the last five years. Teams are expected to prefer chasing as well. Scores in the range of 180-200 are expected.

Light rain is expected at Guwahati ahead of the game, and the temperature will be around 20-21 degrees Celsius at the start of the game. Rain may interrupt the game a little, but we should have a full game. Dew shouldn’t be a factor for this match.

Insights that could shape how the RR vs CSK match could transpire

Below is some interesting insights that could decide this contest, according to SPODA AI data.

• If Rajasthan Royals lose one wicket in the powerplay, score 50 runs in the death overs and make a total of 200, they have a 74% chance of winning. The probability is the same for CSK.
• Ayush Mhatre has a 71.43% probability of making a 30+ score. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has a 58.33% chance.
• Jofra Archer is one of the top bowling options with a 36.15% chance of taking 2+ wickets.

For more information such as this, check out SPODA AI today.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for RR vs CSK: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top Wicket-Keeper Picks:  

• Sanju Samson had a phenomenal ICC T20 World Cup 2026, where he won the Player of the Tournament award. Sanju scored 321 runs in 5 matches at an average of 80.25 at a strike rate of 199.37 with three fifties. Sanju has the experience of playing at Guwahati, and he’ll be a top C/VC choice.  
• Kartik Sharma is another excellent pick in fantasy cricket for this game. He is expected to play and is known for his ultra-aggressive approach in the domestic circuit. He’s an excellent spin-hitter and can be the game changer in fantasy cricket for this game.

Key batter picks: 

• Ruturaj Gaiwakd is another must in your fantasy teams. He is expected to be back opening the innings this season, and he’s one of the best batters for CSK. Gaikwad has 273 runs in eight innings at an average of 45.50 and a strike rate of 133.80 vs. RR, with one fifty and one century. He’ll be an excellent C/VC pick. 
• Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the innings and can go berserk and take the game away in the powerplay itself when on song. Jaiswal has 266 runs in eight matches against CSK at an average of 33.20 and has struck at 161.20 with three fifties. Jaiswal may face some issues against Khaleel, but he will be worth backing in your fantasy teams.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will look to attack from the first ball, and we all know what he can do on his day. His sole job will be to take the attack to the opposition. Try him as C/VC in some of your teams. 
• Dewald Brevis showcased his class in the last season, and since then, his career graph has gone upwards. Brevis just murders the cricket ball on his day and hits sixes for fun, especially against the spinners. It’ll be interesting to see what his role is this season. 

Top all-rounder picks: 

• Shivam Dube had an exceptional T20 World Cup 2026. He scored runs when the team needed him the most and contributed consistently with the ball. Dube will be a crucial player for CSK, as he is very adaptive, and it’s a no-brainer to have him in the side.
• Ravindra Jadeja will do the finishing duties for RR and will be their lead spinner. He’s a gun in the field and has looked in good touch during the practice matches. Jadeja can trouble CSK’s middle order, as there’s no left-hand batter except for Shivam Dube. 

Key bowler picks: 

• Noor Ahmad will be CSK’s best bet during the middle overs. He may go for runs occasionally, but he picks up wickets consistently. Noor can be brought in on the powerplay itself considering RR’s left-hand-heavy top order. He is a wicket-taker and will be a top fantasy pick.
• Jofra Archer took 11 wickets in eight games in the ICC T20 WC 2026. He’ll lead RR’s bowling attack and can trouble CSK’s batting unit with his hard lengths at a high pace. Archer can be handy with the bat too and will bowl the key overs for the Royals.

For predictive analysis that could help guide you in creating your fantasy cricket teams, check out SPODA AI (AI Cricket Prediction & Match Analysis Tool) below. If you sign up, you will receive 3 FREE match passes to start.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Prashant Veer.
• Sandeep Sharma.
• Urvil Patel (if plays).
• Riyan Parag.

Other Matchups and Facts 

• Rajasthan Royals have won six of the last eight games played between the two teams. 
• Since 2018, Sanju Samson has scored 49, 30, 74, 119, 55, 55, 82 and 66 in the first match of the IPL season.
• Shimron Hetmyer vs Akeal Hosein (T20s): 47 runs, 3 dismissals in 35 deliveries.
• Dhruv Jurel vs Noor Ahmad (T20s): 17 runs, 2 dismissals in 12 deliveries.
• Sanju Samson vs Ravindra Jadeja (T20s): 84 runs, 3 dismissals in 64 deliveries.
• Sanju Samson vs Sandeep Sharma (T20s): 59 runs, 2 dismissals in 59 deliveries.

IPL 2026 3rd Match: RR vs CSK Dream11 Prediction Today

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Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

IPL 2026 3rd Match: RR vs CSK Match Prediction: Who will win?

Both teams have a star-studded lineup with good depth. CSK’s batting looks more settled and promising compared to RR, but their bowling is a big concern for them, and they’ll have to compensate for that with the bat. Royals, meanwhile, have a very strong top 6. 

Considering team balance and depth, Chennai Super Kings should win this match.

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