IPL 2026 | Match 3: RR vs CSK | Preview and Predictions

Match 3 of the 2026 IPL season will be played between the Rajasthan Royals and the Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on 30th April 2026. The big talking points from this game will be the mega trade with Sanju Samson moving to CSK and CSK’s veteran allrounder Ravindra Jadeja moving the other way. 

Here’s our preview and prediction for the game. 

Indian Premier League 2026 | Match 3: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings | 19:30 IST, 30 April 2026 

The 2025 IPL season was a disaster for both RR and CSK as they both ended the league phase in the bottom two places. For the former five-time champions CSK, it was a shocking situation as this was the second consecutive season after winning the IPL when they ended up outside the playoffs. As for RR, since winning the inaugural IPL in 2008, they haven’t been able to win the coveted title and missed out on the playoffs last season as well ending in a dismal ninth place. 

Rajasthan Royals have lost an experienced batter and their captain in Sanju Samson who moved to Chennai during the mini-auction in December. However, they traded him with one of the finest Indian allrounders Ravindra Jadeja who returned to his first IPL franchise after departing in 2009.  

RR has a host of young talent with their most-vaunted opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi being watched with a lot of interest this season. Other players who could contribute with the bat are Captain Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shemron Hetmeyer with Shubham Dubey capable of upping the ante in the death overs. 

They also have lethal fast bowling options in Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kuldeep Sen and Kwena Maphaka along with allrounders Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka and Riyan Parag. However, their spin bowling options are relatively limited as they only have Ravi Bishnoi alongside relative part-timers. 

CSK too have added several young players in their ranks. Getting unknown and uncapped players in the form of Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer has been a risky move but the players have proven themselves in their short domestic careers and under the guidance of Indian stalwart MS Dhoni they could really progress. Also, having the likes of explosive young talent in Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel along with the experienced Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson in the top order could provide the right balance for the Chennai franchise. The hard-hitting Shivam Dube can also provide the late impetus down the order. 

Their fast-bowling department is stacked with Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurjapneet Singh, Anshul Kamboj and Spencer Johnson. They have added variety to their spin attack with Akeal Hosein and he could be a potent weapon alongside Rahul Chahar and Noor Ahmad. 

Coming to this matchup, the game is being played in Guwahati which is generally a batting friendly wicket and could result in a high-scoring encounter. If the RR openers gets going, they could set a big target if they got a chance to bat first. However, their bowling seems to be a definite weak link and with the Chennai batting lineup having the right mix of youth and experience, this could be a lost cause for the Rajasthan Royals. 

Hence, based on their experience and the long batting order along with better spin options. We believe Chennai will pull this game off and emerge victorious, putting their first points of the new season on the board. 

Fantasy XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Noor Ahmad, Ravi Bishnoi, Jofra Archer, Matt Henry. 

Venue: Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati 

Winner’s Prediction: Chennai Super Kings