Mon Mar 30 13:40:00 UTC 2026: ### Rajasthan Royals Elect to Bowl First Against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati; Dhoni Absent Due to Injury

The Story:
In the third match of the IPL 2026 season, the Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to field first against the Chennai Super Kings at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. The match marks a significant moment as MS Dhoni is absent due to injury, leaving Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead CSK’s batting lineup. However, CSK faced an early setback as both Samson and Gaikwad were dismissed cheaply.

Key Points:

  • The match is between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) and is being held in Guwahati.
  • Rajasthan Royals won the toss and chose to bowl first.
  • MS Dhoni is absent from the CSK lineup due to injury.
  • Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad opened the batting for CSK.
  • Both Samson and Gaikwad were dismissed early, scoring only 6 runs each.
  • CSK’s playing eleven includes Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmed, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj, and Khalil Ahmed.
  • Rajasthan Royals’ playing eleven includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag (captain), Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, and Brijesh Sharma.
  • Riyan Parag is captaining Rajasthan Royals.
  • The article notes the dependance of Rajasthan’s batting on Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Key Takeaways:

  • MS Dhoni’s absence significantly impacts CSK’s leadership and strategy.
  • Rajasthan Royals’ decision to bowl first suggests confidence in their bowling attack, despite noted concerns.
  • The early dismissals of Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad put CSK under immediate pressure.
  • Riyan Parag’s captaincy debut adds a new dynamic to Rajasthan Royals.
  • Rajasthan’s bowling attack is under scrutiny despite changes made after a disappointing 2025 season.

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