IPL 2026 Tips - Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings

Two of the IPL’s most storied franchises open their 2026 campaigns in Guwahati, with the added intrigue of Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson facing their former teams for the first time.

Head to Head

Rajasthan Royals

Head to Head

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$1.88

The home side look tough to beat given their recent record and CSK’s injury issues.

Recent form points firmly toward RR despite CSK holding a narrow 16-15 lead in 31 all-time meetings. The Royals have won four of the last five between the sides and beat CSK twice in IPL 2025, including a six-run thriller at this very venue.

CSK are without Dhoni for at least the first six matches, Dewald Brevis misses the opener, and their bowling attack is thin without Nathan Ellis and Sam Curran. Matt Henry and Noor Ahmad carry the attack but the death bowling remains a genuine concern.

The home side look tough to beat given their recent record and CSK’s injury issues. RR have Archer leading a balanced attack, Jadeja providing spin control and lower-order depth, and a top three of Jaiswal, Sooryavanshi and Parag built for this surface.

Rain is forecast for the afternoon with a chance it lingers into the evening, and the pitch was under covers on Sunday. If conditions are difficult early, RR’s more experienced attack is better placed to adapt than a CSK bowling unit still working out its death-over options. Hard to make a case for the visitors.

Best Bet

Yashasvi Jaiswal

30+ Runs

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$1.88

Jaiswal scored 559 runs at an average of 43 and a strike rate of 160 in IPL 2025, finishing with six fifties in 14 matches. He has the game to punish a CSK attack lacking genuine pace at both ends, and on a high-scoring Guwahati surface he is RR’s most likely match-winner.

Value Bet

Jofra Archer

3+ Wickets

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$5.50

Archer took 11 wickets in eight T20 World Cup games and arrives in sharp form. CSK’s top order is unsettled with several unproven batters in the XI, and his pace and bounce on a fresh pitch is a difficult matchup for batters still finding their feet early in the season.

Same Game Multi

RR H2H / Jaiswal & Sooryavanshi 20+ Runs / Archer 2+ Wickets

Editor in Chief

Frankie McDonald

Frankie has spent more than two decades working in the Australian wagering industry and is widely regarded for his expertise in AFL, NRL and horse racing tips.