Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals will clash in the third match of IPL 2026 at the iconic Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Both the teams finished as the last two teams in the IPL points table and will be eyeing a place in the playoffs this time.
Chennai Super Kings Playing XI vs Rajasthan Royals Playing XI will include players like Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja, but this time for the opposing teams. Samson will be seen in yellow and Jadeja has gone back to his former franchise RR.
Chennai Super Kings Playing XI vs Rajasthan Royals Playing XI – Match 3
Chennai Super Kings Playing XI vs Rajasthan Royals
Openers: Ayush Mhatre and Sanju Samson
CSK got a unique talent in Ayush Mhatre last season. The Mumbai opener played a brilliant innings for the Men in Yellow and will be important for them this season too. On the other hand, Sanju Samson has been supported as the new opening batsman in the team. Samson played a big role for India and is in great form.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Dewald Brevis, Prashant Veer, Anshul Kamboj, Shivam Dubey, MS Dhoni.
CSK captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, is one of the most prolific batsmen in the CSK lineup. He played a key role in the success of CSK under MS Dhoni; However, in recent times, the franchise has not flourished under Gaikwad’s leadership.
South African middle-order batsman Dewald Brevis has been in some form since the last IPL season. Prashant Veer was one of their highest paid cricketers and will be selected as the replacement for Ravindra Jadeja.
Shivam Dubey and MS Dhoni will add depth to the CSK lineup and will also be vital to their lower order as finishers. Anshul Kamboj will be selected in place of Rs 14.20 crore star Karthik Sharma as CSK needs more bowlers in the eleven.
Bowlers: Jamie Overton, Rahul Chahar and Khalil Ahmed
English all-rounder Jamie Overton played an important role for England with the ball in the ICC T20 World Cup. He will be important for CSK as he can join the team as the third fast bowler. Khaleel Ahmed is likely to take the new ball, while Rahul Chahar is the new spinner in the team.
Influential players: Noor Ahmed
The Afghan spinner played a big role in CSK’s success in the last edition. He took 24 wickets and finished IPL 2025 as the second-highest wicket-taker. Noor will be a potentially influential player in the team.
Chennai Super Kings Probable XI: Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Dewald Brewis, Prashant Veer, Anshul Kamboj, Shivam Dubey, MS Dhoni, Jamie Overton, Rahul Chahar and Khaleel Ahmed.
Impact Player: Noor Ahmed/Spencer Joshson
Rajasthan Royals Playing XI vs Chennai Super Kings
Openers: Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal
Leading Indian opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal has played a big role for RR since joining the Royals XI. The opener conducts the innings at the top of the order, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi can be the accelerator in the innings. Both of them are the most important batsmen of Rajasthan Royals XI.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Riyan Parag (captain), Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka.
Captain Riyan Parag can promote himself back to no. Third position, where he scored the most runs for the Royals. Dhruv Jurel will be another young player who is eyeing a place in Team India with his excellent performance in the IPL. Shimron Hetmyer will once again play the role of finisher in the team and his excellent form will help the Royals this time.
Experienced Ravindra Jadeja has returned to the RR camp and will be crucial with the bat, especially when playing at the ACA Stadium. Dasun Shanaka is also a batting all-rounder and often makes an impact with the ball.
Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Joffra Archer, Sandeep Sharma and Tushar Deshpande.
After Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal are out of the eleven, Ravi Bishnoi is the first player who can be a standout spinner for them. Jofra Archer will be their ace player with the new ball and Sandeep Sharma will once again be used cautiously in the death overs.
Impact Player:Shubham Dubey
Rajasthan Royals picked up Shubham Dubey as an impact player who can add some more batting depth to the team. Dube will be used in situations when the Royals chase a big target; On other occasions, bowlers like Nandre Berger may also be selected as an impact player.
Rajasthan Royals Probable XI: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag (captain), Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, Ravi Bishnoi, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma and Tushar Deshpande/Nandre Berger.
Impact Player: -Shubham Dubey
Also read: “Didn’t invite me”: R Ashwin puts Kuldeep Yadav in the spotlight over ignoring him at wedding
