Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings Playing 11: The third match of the Indian Premier League 2026 will be played today. In this contest, the Rajasthan Royals and the Chennai Super Kings will face off against each other. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, an event that has generated considerable excitement among both fans and players.
The Chennai Super Kings—five-time IPL champions—will face a significant challenge today. The Rajasthan Royals possess a formidable bowling attack to complement their strong batting lineup, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
It remains unclear whether CSK’s most experienced player, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, will be part of the Playing XI. Reports regarding an injury to him had surfaced recently. You can check the probable Playing XIs for both teams in the list provided below.
Uncertainty Surrounds MS Dhoni’s Participation
The Chennai Super Kings and the Rajasthan Royals are set to take the field for their first match of the season. There is currently no clarity regarding whether former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will play in CSK’s opening match. To put it plainly, due to a calf injury, he is not expected to play for the next two weeks.
In his absence, the team will have to rely heavily on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s leadership and the collective experience of the squad members to maintain their strength. On a positive note, the arrival of Sanju Samson has completely alleviated any concerns regarding wicketkeeping duties. (Note: The subsequent sentence regarding Samson’s departure appears to be an error in the original text, as Samson is currently with the Rajasthan Royals.
This presents a major opportunity for a young player like Riyan Parag to prove his mettle. Meanwhile, the team’s batting performance will depend significantly on their aggressive opening pair. The team will look to Yashasvi Jaiswal to play not only an attacking brand of cricket but also with a sense of responsibility.
CSK’s Expectations from Key Players
The Chennai Super Kings—five-time IPL title winners—face a fresh challenge this season, particularly following a rather disappointing performance in the previous edition. In response, CSK has adopted a new strategy regarding player selection. Alongside Samson, seasoned players like Ruturaj Gaikwad are expected to deliver stellar performances and lay the foundation for a victory.
They will ensure stability at the top of the order, allowing others to bat around them. In the middle order, the presence of Dewald Brevis adds an explosive dimension to the team; he is the kind of player who can step in at the right moment and rapidly accelerate the scoreboard.
Check out the team’s probable Playing XI.
Chennai Super Kings – Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain), Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Rahul Chahar, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed.
Rajasthan Royals’ Probable Playing XI
Riyan Parag (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Adam Milne.
