RR vs CSK: The 3rd Match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 opens up with high anticipation as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will face off against Rajasthan Royals (RR) under highly humid weather conditions in Guwahati.
For the first time in IPL history, Sanju Samson will be donning the yellow jersey and face off against his former team, RR. On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja rejoins the Royals, the franchise where his IPL journey began back in 2008.
CSK’s notable acquisition in the player auction bolstered the batting line-up to overcome their setbacks from the previous season.
With both teams boasting a powerful set of batters in their playing XI, let’s analyze the head-to-head records of both teams and predict the winner of the upcoming match.
Rajasthan vs Chennai 3rd Match IPL 2026 Details
- Match Number (in IPL 2026): 03
- Date and Day: March 30, 2026 (Monday)
- Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
- Seating Capacity: 40,000
- Match Timings (IST): 7:30 pm to 10:45 pm
Head-to-Head Analysis of RR vs CSK in IPL Since 2008
Here is how CSK holds a slight edge over RR, having won 16 out of 30 games, and here are the head-to-head records that help to determine their winning chances in the upcoming match:
| Stats | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) |
| Matches Played | 30 | 30 |
| Won | 14 | 16 |
| Highest Innings Total | 223 (in IPL 2010) | 246 (in IPL 2010) |
| Lowest Innings Total | 126 (in IPL 2012) | 109 (in IPL 2008) |
| Matches Won in Guwahati | 1 out of 1 (in IPL 2025) | 0 |
RR vs CSK: Weather, Barsapara Pitch Report, and Toss Winning Captain Decision
- Weather Forecast: The match between RR and CSK has a higher chance of being abandoned or the number of overs could be reduced per inning due to severe rains in Guwahati. Here are the latest weather reports you need to know ahead of the match:
- Temperature: 22°C
- Wind Speed: 7 km/hr
- Cloud Cover: 54%
- Humidity: 86%
- Rainfall Chances: 50%
- Dew Point: 20°
- Pitch Conditions: The balanced nature of the pitch at the Barsapara Stadium offers equal advantage for batters and bowlers. Spinners will have a key role to play in the middle overs and make it challenging for the batting side to accumulate runs.
- Toss Winning Captain’s Strategy: The toss-winning captain should prefer batting first, as there are chances for rainfall to alter the pitch conditions in the second innings.
RR’s Poor Track Record in Guwahati: A Worrying Sign of Concern
Since the IPL 2023 season, Rajasthan Royals’ nightmare at Guwahati has been subpar, having won 2 out of 6 games, and here are the match outcomes:
| Date | Opponent Team | RR Outcome |
| 05th April 2023 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Lost by 5 Runs |
| 08th April 2023 | Delhi Capitals (DC) | Won by 57 Runs |
| 15th May 2024 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Lost by 5 Wickets |
| 19th May 2024 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Abandoned Match |
| 26th March 2025 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Lost by 8 Wickets |
| 30th March 2025 | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Won by 6 Runs |
What could be the Best Playing XI and Impact Subs Options for RR and CSK in IPL 2026?
Here is how Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings can come up with the strongest playing XI by maintaining a perfect balance in the batting and bowling line-up:
RR Possible Best Playing XI vs CSK:
| S.No | Player | Role |
| 1. | Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Batsman |
| 2. | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batsman |
| 3. | Riyan Parag (Captain) | Spin Bowling All-Rounder |
| 4. | Sam Curran (Overseas) | Fast Bowling All-Rounder |
| 5. | Shimron Hetmyer (Overseas) | Batsman |
| 6. | Dhruv Jurel | Wicketkeeper and Batsman |
| 7. | Ravindra Jadeja | Spin Bowling All-Rounder |
| 8. | Kwena Maphaka (Overseas) | Fast Bowler |
| 9. | Ravi Bishnoi | Spin Bowler |
| 10. | Jofra Archer (Overseas) | Fast Bowler |
| 11. | Tushar Deshpande | Fast Bowler |
RR Expected Impact Subs List vs CSK:
| S.No | Player | Role | Expected RR Player to Be Substituted |
| 1. | Sandeep Sharma | Fast Bowler | Shimron Hetmyer (or vice-versa) |
| 2. | Donovan Ferreira (Overseas) | Wicketkeeper and Batsman | |
| 3. | Yudhvir Singh Charak | Fast Bowler | |
| 4. | Kuldeep Sen | Fast Bowler | |
| 5. | Brijesh Sharma | Fast Bowler |
CSK Possible Best Playing XI vs RR:
| S.No | Player | Role |
| 1. | Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain) | Batsman |
| 2. | Sanju Samson | Wicketkeeper and Batsman |
| 3. | Ayush Mhatre | Batsman |
| 4. | Sarfaraz Khan | Batsman |
| 5. | Dewald Brevis (Overseas) | Batsman |
| 6. | Shivam Dube | Fast Bowling All-Rounder |
| 7. | Jamie Overton | Fast Bowling All-Rounder |
| 8. | MS Dhoni | Wicketkeeper and Batsman |
| 9. | Noor Ahmad (Overseas) | Spin Bowler |
| 10. | Khaleel Ahmed | Fast Bowler |
| 11. | Matt Henry (Overseas) | Fast Bowler |
CSK Expected Impact Subs List vs RR:
| S.No | Player | Role | Expected CSK Player to Be Substituted |
| 1. | Shreyas Gopal | Spin Bowler | Shivam Dube (or vice-versa) |
| 2. | Mukesh Choudhary | Fast Bowler | |
| 3. | Akeal Hosein (Overseas) | Spin Bowler | |
| 4. | Urvil Patel | Wicketkeeper and Batsman | |
| 5. | Nathan Eliis (Overseas) | Fast Bowler |
IPL 2026 Match 03 Winner Prediction: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings?
Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings boast huge firepower in the batting line-up and have equal chances of winning the upcoming match.
However, CSK’s improvised bowling attack, added with RR’s lackluster record in Guwahati, is likely to turn the match towards the visiting team’s favor. Ultimately, a proper balance in the batting and bowling line-up is essential for a team to attain glory at the Barsapara cricket stadium in the forthcoming clash.