After two intense clashes, IPL 2026 is set for another high-voltage encounter, as Rajasthan Royals (RR) lock horns with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Monday at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Guwahati.
Ahead of the contest, the Royals will be high on confidence, with newly appointed skipper Riyan Parag leading from the front alongside explosive hitters Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Shimron Hetmyer, adding firepower to their batting.
On the other hand, the Super Kings will enter the clash on the back of multiple injuries. Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni will not participate in the initial phase of the tournament as he is recovering from a calf strain. Adding to CSK`s woes, stylish batsman Dewald Brevis will also miss the first clash due to side strain.
With the absence of two important players, CSK has found itself in deep trouble. The side will heavily rely on their skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad, new addition Sanju Samson, and Sarfaraz Khan.
It will also be interesting to see if the players from both sides manage to deliver big performances against their former teams.
Samson, who earlier led RR in the league, will now take the field, donning the yellow jersey. Additionally, considering the absence of Dhoni, he will likely take over the wicket-keeping duties.
In Rajasthan`s dugout, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja will line up against his former team, Chennai.
IPL 2026, Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals: Full Squads
Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), MS Dhoni (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan, Urvil Patel, Anshul Kamboj, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Prashant Veer, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Zak Foulkes, Shivam Dube, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Gurjapneet Singh, Akeal Hosein, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar.
Rajasthan Royals: Ravindra Jadeja, Sandeep Sharma, Adam Milne, Donovan Ferreira (WK), Jofra Archer, Shimron Hetmyer, Tushar Deshpande, Sam Curran, Nandre Burger, Riyan Parag (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Sen, Ravi Bishnoi, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Sushant Mishra, Yudhvir Singh, Shubham Dubey, Vignesh Puthur, Aman Rao, Kwena Maphaka, Yash Punja, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ravi Singh (WK), Brijesh Sharma.
