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RR vs CSK: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has suffered two big setbacks in the opening match of IPL 2026. Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni and young batsman Dewald Brevis are out of the first few matches due to injury. Dhoni has a calf strain, while Brevis has a side strain during training. In such a situation, the Yellow Army will feel his absence in today’s match against Rajasthan Royals RR at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.

The team management hopes that recent star Sanju Samson will fill this gap. Samson is making a comeback against his old franchise RR and can be a part of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s new opening pair.

Possibility of change in CSK’s playing 11

Sanju Samson will take over the responsibility of wicketkeeping in place of Dhoni. In the absence of Brevis, young players can be relied upon to strengthen the middle order. 20-year-old left-arm spin all-rounders Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma, bought in the auction, may get a starting chance.

Both of them have performed well in domestic T20. At the same time, new faces can be tried to create team balance. Under the captaincy of Gaikwad, CSK will take the field with youthful energy.

Strong preparation of Rajasthan Royals

This match will be a real test for RR under the leadership of captain Riyan Parag. The team has explosive batsmen like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Shimron Hetmyer. The experience of former CSK player Ravindra Jadeja will also strengthen RR. RR would like to start with a bang.

For whom is Guwahati’s pitch beneficial?

Guwahati’s pitch generally helps the batsmen, but the spinners can also get turn. CSK will rely on players like Noor Ahmed and Khalil Ahmed in their bowling, while RR will rely on the fast bowling of Archer along with the spin of Jadeja and Bishnoi.

Probable playing 11 of CSK and RR

Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Shivam Dubey, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Rahul Chahar, Noor Ahmed, Khalil Ahmed.

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ryan Parag (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, Joffra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Adam Milne.