Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings face off in the third match of the Indian Premier League 2026 season on March 30. RR, led by local hero Riyan Parag, are looking to start their campaign on a high at their second home, while CSK, under Ruturaj Gaikwad, aim to maintain their legacy despite the absence of MS Dhoni in the starting weeks.
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium is set for a high-voltage clash featuring the debut of Ravindra Jadeja in RR colors and Sanju Samson’s first appearance for CSK after their historic trade.
RR enter the contest with a point to prove after a disappointing 2025, while CSK will look to adapt quickly to the high-scoring nature of the Guwahati turf.
RR IPL 2026 squad
Riyan Parag (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nandre Burger, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Donovan Ferreira, Shubham Dubey, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen, Dasun Shanaka.
CSK IPL 2026 squad
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Rachin Ravindra, Dewald Brevis, Noor Ahmad, MS Dhoni, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Rahul Tripathi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Aman Hakim Khan, Spencer Johnson, Anshul Kamboj, Ayush Mhatre, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma.
What is the H2H record between RR and CSK?
In head-to-head clashes, these two sides have played 31 matches. CSK hold a slight advantage with 16 wins, while RR have secured 15 victories. However, RR has been the dominant force recently, winning 8 of their last 10 encounters against the Super Kings. At the Barsapara Stadium, the teams are evenly matched as both sides look to master the unique North-East conditions.
Probable XI of both teams
RR probable XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nandre Burger.
CSK probable XI
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar.
Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati & Key Details of the Stadium
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium, also known as the ACA Stadium, is located in Guwahati, Assam. It was established in 2012 and has a capacity of 40,000 people. The first T20I was played here in 2017. It serves as the secondary home for the Rajasthan Royals, bringing IPL fever to Northeast India.
What is the Pitch like at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium?
The Barsapara pitch is a bona fide batting beauty. It is known for its flat nature and true bounce, allowing batters to hit through the line from the very first ball. Unlike the red soil of Wankhede, this surface stays relatively firm, making it difficult for spinners to find purchase unless they bowl with significant pace variation.
The short boundaries at this venue often turn games into six-hitting competitions. While pacers like Jofra Archer might find some zip under the lights, the primary challenge for bowlers is the heavy dew factor.
Since the match is played in late March, the humidity in Guwahati causes significant dew in the second innings. This makes the ball slippery and difficult to grip, giving a massive advantage to the team batting second. Consequently, the captain winning the toss is almost certain to opt for fielding first.
Key Stats & Records at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium
RR’s 199/4 versus Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023 is the highest team total here. Meanwhile, DC’s 142/9 versus RR in IPL2023 is the lowest team total here.
Riyan Parag is the top scorer for RR at this venue, having flourished in front of his home crowd in previous seasons. In six matches, he has scored 137 runs. Yuzvendra Chahal has the most wickets. He owns 6 scalps from 3 matches at 18.
Meanwhile, Ravi Bishnoi has been one of the few spinners to maintain an economy under 8.00 at this high-scoring ground.
RR vs CSK: Weather Forecast
The weather in Guwahati will be pleasant but damp, with temperatures hovering around 22°C to 24°C during match time. There is no threat of rain, but the humidity levels will likely cross 85%, ensuring that dew becomes a major tactical hurdle by the 10th over of the first innings.
RR vs CSK: Pitch Advantage for Which Side?
The pitch slightly favours Rajasthan Royals due to the presence of local power-hitters like Riyan Parag and the explosive Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who understand the ground dimensions perfectly. However, CSK’s middle order, featuring the spin-destructors Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson, is built to exploit small boundaries. The battle between RR’s pace battery (Archer/Burger) and CSK’s technical openers (Gaikwad/Samson) will likely decide the powerplay momentum.
FAQs – Pitch Report for Barsapara Cricket Stadium
What is the pitch report for Barsapara Cricket Stadium?
Expect a high-scoring “belter.” The pitch offers great bounce for batters and very little help for bowlers once the new ball loses its shine. Dew is a critical factor, making chasing much easier than setting a target.
Who is the captain for RR?
Riyan Parag is the captain of the Rajasthan Royals for the 2026 season.
Is MS Dhoni playing?
No, MS Dhoni is currently unavailable for the initial stage of the tournament due to a muscle tear. Sanju Samson is handling the wicketkeeping duties for CSK.
What is RR and CSK’s record at the Barsapara Stadium?
The teams have had limited encounters at this specific venue, but RR holds a strong home-away-from-home record here, winning the majority of their fixtures in Guwahati since 2023.
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