RR Opt to Bowl Against CSK as IPL 2026 Clash Begins Under Overcast Skies

Guwahati, March 2026 : Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bowl first against Chennai Super Kings in Match 3 of Indian Premier League 2026 at the Barsapara Cricket Ground on Monday. The toss was delayed briefly by five minutes due to light drizzle, with covers being removed shortly before proceedings began.

The fixture marks the first meeting between the two sides since high-profile squad changes involving Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja, adding extra intrigue to the contest. It also signals the beginning of a new chapter for Riyan Parag, who is leading Rajasthan Royals as full-time captain for the first time.

After winning the toss, Parag cited weather conditions as the primary factor behind the decision to bowl. With overcast skies and residual moisture expected on the red-soil pitch, the Royals aim to exploit early movement. Parag confirmed that overseas players Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Shimron Hetmyer, and Donovan Ferreira (named among impact substitutes) are part of their plans.

The Royals also handed a debut to Bengal pacer Brijesh Sharma, who impressed scouts with his performances in the Bengal T20 League. Reflecting on his new leadership role, Parag described the moment as overwhelming yet rewarding, highlighting his long association with the franchise and the support he has received over the years.

“Our aim is to win the championship,” Parag said, adding that the team has focused on building a versatile squad capable of adapting to varying pitch conditions across venues.

On the other hand, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad admitted he would also have preferred to bowl first under similar conditions. However, he remained confident of his team’s ability to start strongly with the bat. CSK’s overseas lineup includes Matthew Short, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, and Matt Henry.

The Chennai side also handed a debut to Kartik Sharma, reflecting their continued strategy of integrating fresh talent into the squad. Gaikwad explained that the team’s auction strategy was shaped by lessons from the previous season, focusing on acquiring players who fit both their tactical needs and team culture.

CSK have opted to begin with a batting-heavy combination, naming seven specialist batters in the playing XI. Gaikwad hinted that the use of an impact substitute would depend on how the innings unfolds.

Playing XIs:

Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed.

Impact Substitutes: Sarfaraz Khan, Prashant Veer, Rahul Chahar, Gurjapneet Singh, Ramakrishna Ghosh.

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma.

Impact Substitutes: Donovan Ferreira, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Sushant Mishra, Tushar Deshpande.

With weather conditions likely to influence the early stages, both teams will be keen to adapt quickly in what promises to be a closely contested encounter.

Team Maverick.