Rajasthan Royals will begin their IPL 2026 campaign with a tough challenge against Chennai Super Kings on March 30 in Guwahati. The team enters the season with a few early problems, including injuries and the absence of key players.
RR have already lost Sam Curran due to injury, and regular captain Sanju Samson will also miss the early phase of the tournament. Because of these issues, the team management will need to select the right playing XI to start the season strongly.
Last season was disappointing for Rajasthan Royals. The team managed only four wins during the 2025 season. Now under the leadership of Riyan Parag, RR will aim to improve their performance and push for a playoff spot in IPL 2026.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi Could Be the X-Factor
Young batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be one of the most exciting players to watch this season. When he was just 14 years old, he grabbed headlines by hitting the second-fastest century in IPL history.
In IPL 2025, he played seven matches and scored 252 runs at an average of 36. His strike rate was around 206, showing his ability to score quickly and change the game in a few overs.
However, bowlers will be more prepared this season after studying his batting style. Even so, his fearless approach makes him an important player for Rajasthan Royals.
Jaiswal and Suryavanshi Likely to Open
Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to open the innings alongside Suryavanshi. Jaiswal had an excellent IPL 2025 season where he scored 559 runs at an average of 43.
The opening pair could give RR strong starts in the powerplay. If both batters get going early, they can put pressure on the CSK bowling attack and build a solid foundation for the middle order.
Middle Order Strength with Ferreira and Jurel
The middle order will play a big role in Rajasthan’s success this season.
Riyan Parag, the captain, is expected to bat at number three. He scored 393 runs last season and even played a brilliant knock of 95 in one of the matches.
Dhruv Jurel had a breakthrough IPL season in 2025 and is likely to continue his role as a reliable middle-order batter.
Shimron Hetmyer also adds experience and finishing power. Although he has sometimes started IPL seasons slowly, he has delivered important innings in pressure situations.
Donovan Ferreira could be another key player in the lineup. He brings both batting power and bowling options.
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Donovan Ferreira T20 Career Snapshot
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches | 141 |
| Runs | 2500+ |
| Strike Rate | Around 167 |
| Role | Batting All-rounder |
Ferreira’s ability to hit big shots at the end of the innings and bowl part-time off spin gives the captain extra flexibility in team selection.
Pace Attack Decision: Milne or Archer?
One of the biggest selection debates for Rajasthan Royals is in the fast bowling department.
Jofra Archer recently impressed during the T20 World Cup 2026, where he took 11 wickets. However, his economy rate was around 10 runs per over, which can be expensive in T20 cricket.
On the other hand, Adam Milne has been in strong form. He performed well in the SA20 league this season, taking 11 wickets with an economy rate of 7.61.
If Rajasthan want better control during the death overs, Milne might get the nod ahead of Archer.
Predicted Rajasthan Royals Playing XI vs CSK
| No. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Vaibhav Suryavanshi |
| 2 | Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| 3 | Riyan Parag (C) |
| 4 | Dhruv Jurel |
| 5 | Shimron Hetmyer |
| 6 | Donovan Ferreira |
| 7 | Ravindra Jadeja |
| 8 | Dasun Shanaka |
| 9 | Ravi Bishnoi |
| 10 | Sandeep Sharma |
| 11 | Adam Milne |
Impact Sub: Kuldeep Sen
Rajasthan Royals Full Squad – IPL 2026
| Players |
|---|
| Riyan Parag (Captain) |
| Dhruv Jurel |
| Donovan Ferreira |
| Lhuan-Dre Pretorius |
| Ravi Singh |
| Aman Perala |
| Shubham Dubey |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal |
| Ravindra Jadeja |
| Adam Milne |
| Brijesh Sharma |
| Jofra Archer |
| Kuldeep Sen |
| Kwena Maphaka |
| Nandre Burger |
| Ravi Bishnoi |
| Sandeep Sharma |
| Dasun Shanaka (Replacement) |
Final Thoughts
Rajasthan Royals face a challenging start to IPL 2026. Injuries and missing players have already created selection problems for the team.
The decision between Adam Milne and Jofra Archer could play a big role in shaping the bowling attack. At the same time, the performance of young stars like Vaibhav Suryavanshi and established players like Yashasvi Jaiswal will be important for RR.
If the top order provides strong starts and the bowlers execute their plans well, Rajasthan Royals can begin their campaign with a positive result against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati.
