Chennai Super Kings’ Jamie Overton (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Amid an otherwise disastrous IPL 2026 opener for Chennai Super Kings, Jamie Overton refused to go quietly. On a chaotic day at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, CSK were bowled out for just 127 by a ruthless Rajasthan Royals attack, but Overton’s knock provided a rare bright spot.Walking in with CSK reeling at 82/8, Overton played a defiant innings, scoring 43 off 36 balls. His effort now holds a special place in CSK history: it is the highest score by any CSK batter at No. 8 or below in the IPL, surpassing MS Dhoni’s previous best of 37* against Delhi Capitals in 2024. Overton’s innings was a mix of patience, timing, and power, showing that even in the midst of collapse, resilience can shine.The rest of the CSK lineup struggled from the start. Sanju Samson fell early attempting a slog over mid-wicket off Nandre Burger, while skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s aerial stroke off Jofra Archer saw his stumps dislodged. Burger, Archer, and Ravindra Jadeja ran through the CSK batting order, leaving the home team in tatters at 57/6 after just eight overs.The chase was a spectacle for Royals, led by 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The young sensation blazed his way to a 15-ball half-century, including a six over point off Matt Henry and two towering sixes off spinner Noor Ahmad, becoming the third fastest to fifty in IPL history. With Yashasvi Jaiswal (38* off 36) and Riyan Parag (14* off 11) supporting him, Royals finished the chase in 12.1 overs, making light of the target.While Royals’ collective brilliance and Sooryavanshi’s heroics stole the headlines, CSK were left searching for answers after a disastrous opening day.

Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi celebrates his fifty (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Rajasthan Royals announced their arrival in IPL 2026 with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings, powered by a breathtaking innings from teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Royals’ bowlers set the tone early, restricting CSK to a modest 127 on a pitch that had seen limited play due to rain. CSK’s batting struggled from the outset, with the home side failing to build any momentum. Royals captain Riyan Parag’s bowlers exploited the conditions perfectly, picking wickets at regular intervals to keep CSK under pressure. Ravindra Jadeja, returning to the Royals, struck twice in his opening over, signalling a successful comeback. Sooryavanshi, 15, displayed his rare talent in full flight, racing to a 15-ball fifty, including a spectacular six over point off New Zealand pacer Matt Henry and a couple of towering sixes off spinner Noor Ahmad. Dropped by Kartik Sharma in one punishing over, he made CSK pay immediately, turning the contest decisively in Rajasthan’s favour. His innings helped the Royals reach 74 in the powerplay, effectively sealing the game. Opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal (38* off 36) played a measured role, letting Sooryavanshi dominate, while Parag (14* off 11) joined later to finish the chase in 12.1 overs with ease. CSK’s marquee players struggled. Sanju Samson, fresh from India’s T20 World Cup triumph, was trapped by Nandre Burger trying to go over mid-wicket, while skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad fell attempting a lofted stroke off Jofra Archer. Jamie Overton provided some resistance with 43 off 36 but could not stem the collapse. The Royals’ pace attack, led by Nandre Burger and Archer, complemented Jadeja’s spin perfectly. Brijesh Sharma claimed the wicket of debutant Kartik Sharma, while Archer, Burger, and Jadeja finished with two wickets apiece. Both teams, who had swapped stars Jadeja and Samson ahead of the season, began their campaigns in contrasting fashion—Royals with a statement win, CSK with much to rethink after a difficult start.

Guwahati’s weather looms large over the IPL 2026 opener between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, with rain forecasts casting doubt on the match. Both teams, aiming for a fresh start after poor seasons, feature significant player and leadership changes. Sanju Samson moves to CSK, Ravindra Jadeja to RR, and Riyan Parag captains the Royals, while Ruturaj Gaikwad leads CSK.

Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are set to usher in a new phase of their IPL journeys on Monday, but the weather in Guwahati threatens to take centre stage even before a ball is bowled. The IPL 2026 opener between the two sides comes with renewed narratives after both teams hit the reset button following bottom-place finishes last season. However, multiple weather forecasts have cast doubt over how much action fans will witness. While BBC Weather has predicted “thundery showers” through the scheduled match hours, Weather.com has also indicated consistent rain from early evening until midnight. AccuWeather, in contrast, offers a more optimistic outlook, suggesting the rain could clear before the toss, although high humidity is expected to persist. Beyond the uncertainty in the skies, the contest marks a significant shift in personnel and leadership. Sanju Samson will turn out for CSK after leading Rajasthan Royals until last season, while Ravindra Jadeja has moved in the opposite direction, returning to the franchise where he began his IPL career in 2008. The trade, which also involved Sam Curran, has reshaped both squads. Riyan Parag will lead Rajasthan Royals in a new role, while Ruturaj Gaikwad takes back the Chennai Super Kings captaincy after his 2025 campaign was cut short by injury. CSK will also be without MS Dhoni for the opening phase due to a calf issue, and Dewald Brevis has been ruled out of the first game. On paper, Rajasthan Royals appear to have addressed their balance issues. The addition of Jadeja alongside Ravi Bishnoi gives them greater control in the middle overs, while their pace attack, featuring Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger and Adam Milne, offers variety and pace. Chennai Super Kings, however, have questions to answer, particularly with the ball. The absence of Nathan Ellis leaves a gap in the death overs, with the attack largely made up of bowlers who are more effective in the powerplay. Noor Ahmad is expected to handle the middle overs, but the closing stages remain a concern.Also Read: RR vs CSK Live Score

Sam Curran and Dasun Shanaka (Agency Image)

Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara has expressed disappointment over the absence of Sam Curran from the IPL 2026 season, calling it a significant setback for the franchise. The England all-rounder has been ruled out due to a groin injury just days before the tournament begins.In response, the Royals have moved swiftly to bring in Dasun Shanaka as Curran’s replacement, with the Sri Lankan T20I captain confirmed in an official announcement on Monday.Curran had arrived at Rajasthan Royals as part of a blockbuster pre-auction trade involving Chennai Super Kings. The deal saw CSK secure Sanju Samson, while the Royals acquired Curran alongside Ravindra Jadeja. However, his injury has now forced an early exit before he could make an impact this season.“We are disappointed to lose a player of Sam’s calibre so close to the start of the season,” said Sangakkara, who serves as Director of Cricket and Head Coach at Rajasthan Royals.“Sam brings immense value with both bat and ball. However, we are pleased to have found an ideal replacement in Dasun Shanaka, a finisher with the bat and a quality all-rounder who helps maintain the balance of our side,” he added.Shanaka arrives with considerable T20 experience and is expected to slot into the lower middle order, offering both finishing ability and all-round depth. He previously featured in the IPL during the 2023 season for Gujarat Titans, where he played three matches.Shanaka’s move to RR makes him the second international player after Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani to leave the Pakistan Super League for a stint in the Indian Premier League.Rajasthan Royals will open their IPL 2026 campaign against Chennai Super Kings on March 30 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Following that clash, they are scheduled to face Gujarat Titans on April 4, Mumbai Indians on April 7, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 10.

Ravindra Jadeja mocks Yashasvi Jaiswal in RR nets (Screengrabs)

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals have begun preparations for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 on a lively note, with a light-hearted yet impressive moment from training going viral. 24-year-old opener Yashasvi Jaiswal grabbed the spotlight by smashing a huge six off Ravindra Jadeja on the very first ball he faced in practice. What made it even more surprising was that Jaiswal had earlier told the veteran spinner that he hadn’t slept well, making his powerful shot even more unexpected.

During the session, Jaiswal looked completely at ease despite his lack of rest, confidently taking on Jadeja and sending the ball into the stands. The reaction from Jadeja added to the moment, as he couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed.“Abhi keh raha tha neend nahi hui raatko. Room mei practice karke aaya hai yeh (He was just saying he hadn’t slept well at night. But he’s come after practicing in the room),” said Jadeja.Watch:The clip quickly spread across social media, with fans praising Jaiswal’s fearless approach and natural attacking ability, which has already made him a key player for the franchise.

Royals eye strong comeback

Rajasthan Royals will be hoping such signs translate into performances on the field after a disappointing IPL 2025 season, where they finished near the bottom despite Jaiswal scoring 559 runs. The team has made several changes, including bringing in experienced all-rounder Jadeja, while also dealing with the absence of Sam Curran due to injury.There is also excitement around young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who impressed last season with his aggressive batting, including a record-breaking century. With a mix of youth and experience, Rajasthan Royals will be aiming to turn things around in IPL 2026, and moments like Jaiswal’s in practice offer early optimism for fans.