Match 13 of the ongoing IPL 2026 is going to be exciting as two high-caliber sides are all set to square off tonight at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. The match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians (RR vs MI) can be a canvas for two all-round architects to display their class, skills, and craftsmanship.

While the Rajasthan Royals have Ravindra Jadeja as their ace all-rounder, the Mumbai Indians have their captain, Hardik Pandya. The clash of the two stars can write the future of the match. The battle between these two individuals is enough to hype up the match. Between Jadeja and Pandya, who has the better stats ahead of the RR vs MI IPL 2026 match at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati? 

Ahead of the match, Ravindra Jadeja has so far played 348 T20 games and taken 237 wickets, and scored 3992 runs. On the other side, Pandya has claimed 227 wickets and scored 6156 runs after playing 329 T20 matches.

Ravindra Jadeja vs Hardik Pandya T20 stats:

Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya’s batting and bowling stats in the Indian Premier League:

Ravindra Jadeja, 37, is a stalwart of the league, having been playing since the inception of the IPL. So far, after playing for 4 different teams, the spin bowling all-rounder has taken 172 wickets at an economy rate of 7.68. He has three 4-fers and one 5-wicket haul in his IPL bowling stats. 

With the bat, the star Indian cricketer has amassed 3267 runs, with an average of 27.92 and a strike rate of 130.21.

Read More: Rain forecast in Guwahati: Will RR vs MI IPL 2026 clash be washed out?

Jadeja’s batting stats in IPL:

Jadeja’s bowling stats in IPL:

Hardik Pandya, 32, five years older than Jadeja, has so far played 153 IPL matches for two teams, including the Mumbai Indians. In these matches, the seam bowling all-rounder has accumulated 2767 runs at a strike rate of 147.02 and an average of 28.52. If we talk about his bowling part in the league, then the pacer has pocketed 79 wickets so far for an economy rate of 9.22.

Pandya’s batting stats in IPL:

Pandya’s bowling stats in IPL:

Who is the best in IPL?

So, between Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, who is the best in the Indian Premier League? To solve the puzzle, we asked the same to CHATGPT. According to ChatGPT:

• For consistency & all-round dominance: Ravindra Jadeja wins. 
• For match-winning explosive impact: Hardik Pandya is better in the powerplay/death overs.

The ninth match of the IPL 2026 features the Gujarat Titans up against Rajasthan Royals at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Saturday, 4th April. Rajasthan Royals started the tournament on a positive note, winning their opening match by eight wickets against Chennai Super Kings, successfully chasing a target of 128 runs in just 12.1 overs. Young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored a brilliant 52 runs at a strike rate of 305 and helped his team to reach the target. The last time these two sides met, Suryavanshi shattered the record books en route to a 35-ball century in Jaipur.

On the other hand, Gujarat Titans had a tough start to the tournament, losing their opening match by three wickets against Punjab Kings. They batted first and posted a total of 162 runs in 20 overs. Shubman Gill was the top-scorer for Titans, scoring 39 runs off 27 balls, but their bowling unit failed to defend the target.

Also Read: DC vs MI Dream11 Prediction Today, Match 8, Pitch Report, Fantasy Tips

GT vs RR Match Details 

• Match: Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals, 9th Match

• Date: 4th April 2026

• Time: 7:30 PM IST

• Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad 

• Live Streaming: JioHotstar 

GT vs RR Weather Report

Pitch Report - Narendra Modi Stadium

The surface at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has traditionally been favourable for batting, and the quick outfield rewards stroke play. The venue has seen a number of high-scoring encounters in the past.

• Win Batting First: 62%

• Win Bowling First: 38%

Average Scores

• Average 1st Innings: 185

• Average 2nd Innings: 170

GT vs RR Recent Form

GT vs RR Head-to-Head Record (Last 10 matches)

• GT Wins - 6

• RR Wins - 2

Top Batters to Watch – GT vs RR

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR): 52 runs in this tournament 

• Shubman Gill (GT): 39 runs in this tournament 

• Jos Buttler (GT): 38 runs in this tournament 

Top Bowlers to Watch – GT vs RR

• Jofra Archer (RR): 2 wickets in this tournament 

• Prasidh Krishna (GT): 3 wickets in this tournament 

• Ravindra Jadeja (RR): 2 wickets in this tournament 

GT vs RR Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If GT bats first

• Powerplay Score: 45–50

• Predicted Total: 175–180

• Match Result: RR to win

Scenario 2: If RR bats first

• Powerplay Score: 50–60

• Predicted Total: 190–200

• Match Result: RR to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

GT vs RR Predicted Playing XIs

Gujarat Titans 

Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, M Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Ashok Sharma, Mohammed Siraj

Rajasthan Royals 

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma

Why Rajasthan Royals is the favourite

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi's recent form 

• won the previous match  

• Explosive middle-order

GT vs RR Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

Based on current form, team balance, and superior batting strength, Rajasthan Royals is the favourite to win this IPL 2026 match. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Shimron Hetmyer are expected to be the key performers.

Prediction: Rajasthan Royals to win

Ravindra Jadeja made his comeback with the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in style in the ongoing 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). RR sliced the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in half to get a thumping win in their first match of the season. Jadeja took a couple of crucial wickets in the game. 

 Jadeja, who played 186 matches for CSK between 2012 and 2025 to help them secure titles in 2018, 2021, and 2023, was in the Rajasthan Royals shirt at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on March 30.

Ravindra Jadeja mocks trade talk following big performance against CSK

During the innings break of the match, the broadcasters asked the veteran all-rounder about his feelings playing against his former team. In reply, Jadeja said that he looks good in Pink.

“I think pink looks good on me. The yellow was fading,” Ravindra Jadeja, currently a Rajasthan Royals player, and formerly a CSK cricketer, said during the match.

Yellow colour thoda purana hogaya tha 😭pic.twitter.com/e84gHvC6sj

— AdityaRRaj (@RR_for_LIFE) March 31, 2026

Ravindra Jadeja was traded to RR in the recent trade window 

Rajasthan Royals, on their official website, shares that the 37-year-old’s appearance for RR on Monday also marked a unique milestone, setting a new IPL record for the longest gap between appearances for the same team - 6158 days. Previously, Karn Sharma held the record with 5093 days - almost 14 years - separating his two appearances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Jadeja was an integral part of RR when they won the title under the leadership of Shane Warne in 2008. The spin bowling allrounder joined the franchise, from where he started his IPL journey, after 17 long years. The return of Ravindra Jadeja in the Rajasthan Royals marked a homecoming. He made his return through an off-season trade deal. CSK traded out Jadeja and Sam Curran to sign Sanju Samson.

Read More: Watch: “Fell asleep…” – Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s cute birthday reply during RR vs CSK IPL 2026 clash goes viral

In Guwahati, CSK's batting order failed miserably against Rajasthan. The five-time IPL winners folded for only 127 runs for 10 wickets. Jadeja, in his 3-over spell, clinched Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube from the track. He ended his spell for an economy rate of 6.00.

Jadeja explained that he had bowled a lot against Shivam Dube, so he knew about his capabilities with the bat. To trap Dube, the spinner pitched the ball outside off, and it worked according to plan.  

“I've known Shivam Dube for a long time - I've bowled to him in the nets, so I understand how he approaches spinners. I was prepared for that and tried to bowl outside off, because I knew he would look to play big shots against me,” Ravindra Jadeja explained how he dismissed the CSK middle-order batter.

The surface at the Barasapara Stadium was not suitable enough for the batters in the first innings. CSK was the batting first side after losing the toss. Jadeja mentioned that the pitch was a bit sticky, and the ball was moving. His only duty was to pitch the ball in the right areas; the rest of the surface did itself.

“I felt the wicket was a bit sticky, and the ball was turning, so I really enjoyed bowling - my job was just to hit the right areas and let the pitch do the rest,” he added. 

Many well-known sportspersons have entered politics after their careers in sports. Over the years, several big names have made this transition, showing a growing trend. These athletes often use their popularity to support social work, sports development, and public service.

Among cricketers, players like Kirti Azad, Chetan Chauhan, and Navjot Singh Sidhu have been associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)during their political careers. In recent times, Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also joined the BJP in September 2024, following his wife, adding another major name to the list.

Apart from cricketers, other sportspersons such as Saina Nehwal, Yogeshwar Dutt, Babita Phogat, Kalyan Chaubey, and Vijender Singh have also joined the party at different points in time.

Former cricketers like Navjot Singh Sidhu, Gautam Gambhir, S Sreesanth, and Ashok Dinda have also been part of the BJP during their political journeys, showing the strong connection between sports and politics.

Here is the complete list of cricketers who have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):

1. Chetan Chauhan

Chetan Chauhan, a former Indian cricketer and opening batsman, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after his playing career and became an active political leader. He was elected as a Member of Parliament from Amroha in 1991 and again in 1998 on a BJP ticket. Over the years, he remained closely associated with the party and later served as a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, handling portfolios like sports and youth affairs. Chauhan was known for his disciplined approach both on and off the field. His move into politics reflected his desire to serve society and contribute to sports development in India.

2. Kirti Azad

Kirti Azad, who was part of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, later joined politics. He was elected to Parliament on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket. Before that, he also served as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Delhi’s Gole Market. He later contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

However, his political career faced problems when he was suspended from the BJP. This happened after he openly spoke against Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley over alleged issues in the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA). In February 2019, Azad joined the Indian National Congress and contested the general elections, but he lost. Later, he joined the All India Trinamool Congress and won the Lok Sabha election from the Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency in West Bengal.

3. Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian team, served as a Member of Parliament from 2019 to 2024, representing the East Delhi constituency for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He joined the BJP on 22 March 2019 in the presence of senior leaders Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad and was soon announced as the party’s candidate for the 2019 general elections. During the campaign, his opponent Atishi Marlena challenged him to a public debate, but Gambhir declined, stating that he does not believe in “dharna and debates.” He went on to win the election by a large margin of 695,109 votes against Atishi Marlena and Arvinder Singh Lovely.

In March 2024, Gambhir decided to step away from active politics to focus on his cricket commitments. He announced that he had requested BJP National President JP Nadda to relieve him of his political duties. His decision marked a shift back to his primary role in cricket, where he continues to contribute to Indian cricket in a leadership position.

See also -'Gambhir wants a skipper who...'- Former India cricketer reveals reason for breaking opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson in Asia Cup 2025

4. Ravindra Jadeja

India’s T20 World Cup-winning all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in September 2024, following the political path of his wife, Rivaba Jadeja. Rivaba had earlier joined the BJP in 2019 and went on to contest the Gujarat Assembly elections from the Jamnagar North constituency in 2022.

During her campaign, Ravindra Jadeja actively supported her and took part in election activities. Rivaba secured a strong victory, winning the seat by a margin of over 50,000 votes, marking a significant milestone in her political career.

5. Navjot Singh Sidhu

Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu has had a long career in politics after retiring from cricket. He started his political journey with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2004, when he was elected as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha.

After being with the BJP for more than ten years, Sidhu left the party in 2017 and joined the Indian National Congress (INC). He contested the Amritsar East seat and won the election. Later, he took oath as the Tourism and Local Bodies Minister in the Punjab government.

6. S Sreesanth

World Cup-winning bowler S. Sreesanth has been a well-known name in both cricket and politics. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on 25 March 2016 and soon entered electoral politics. Sreesanth contested the 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency. He received 34,764 votes but lost the election to V. S. Sivakumar of the Indian National Congress by a margin of 11,710 votes.

7. Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav is one of the latest cricketers to enter politics after ending his international career. The 40-year-old joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on 8 April 2025 at a ceremony held at the party office. State president Chandrashekhar Bawankule welcomed him into the party.

Jadhav has represented India at the international level and has also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He played for teams like Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Daredevils. He was known as a good all-rounder who contributed with both bat and ball. In June 2024, he announced his retirement from all formats of cricket and is now starting a new journey in politics.

8. Ashok Dinda

Ashok Dinda is a well-known name in Indian cricket. He was the leading wicket-taker for Bengal in the 2017–18 Ranji Trophy. He played domestic cricket for Bengal and Goa and also featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for several teams. He was part of India’s squad that won the 2010 Asia Cup.

Dinda retired from all forms of cricket on 2 February 2021 and later entered politics. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and contested the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election from the Moyna constituency. He won the election with 108,109 votes, defeating Trinamool Congress candidate Sangram Kumar Dolai by a margin of 1,260 votes.

The Rajasthan Royals will begin their IPL 2026 campaign by facing the Chennai Super Kings in the third match of the season at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, on 30 March. Both CSK and RR had a challenging last season. Both teams managed four wins from 14 games and finished at the bottom of the points table. They will be aiming for a positive start this season. Ruturaj Gaikwad led the Chennai Super Kings and featured players such as Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis, and Sarfaraz Khan. Chennai have been hit by injuries ahead of their campaign opener. Ms Dhoni is sidelined with a calf injury, and on the eve of their match against Rajasthan, Dewald Brevis was also ruled out.

Meanwhile, Riyan Parag will captain the Rajasthan Royals following the trade of Sanju Samson to the Chennai Super Kings, who also bring back Ravindra Jadeja to their squad. Their batting line-up includes powerful hitters like Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Jaisawal, Riyan Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer. Jofra Archer will lead the bowling attack alongside Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande, and Adam Milne. 

Also Read: IPL 2026, Match 2 - MI vs KKR: Toss Update and Playing XI

RR vs CSK Match Details 

• Match: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings, 3rd Match

• Date: 30th March 2026

• Time: 7:30 PM IST

• Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

• Live Streaming: JioHotstar 

RR vs CSK Weather Report

Pitch Report - Barsapara Cricket Stadium

The pitch at Barsapara Stadium is widely regarded as a batting-friendly surface, especially in white-ball cricket. The wicket is generally flat with true bounce, allowing batsmen to play their shots freely once they are set. The average first innings score at this venue is around 170-180 runs.

• Win Batting First: 40%

• Win Bowling First: 60%

Average Scores

• Average 1st Innings: 175

• Average 2nd Innings: 162

RR vs CSK Recent Form

RR vs CSK Head-to-Head Record (Last 10 matches)

• RR Wins - 8

• CSK Wins - 2

Top Batters to Watch – RR vs CSK

• Sanju Samson (CSK): 4704 runs in IPL

• Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): 2166 runs in IPL

• Ravindra Jadeja (RR): 3260 runs in IPL

Top Bowlers to Watch – RR vs CSK

• Ravindra Jadeja (RR): 170 wickets in IPL

• Khaleel Ahmed (CSK): 89 wickets in IPL

• Ravi Bishnoi (RR): 72 wickets in IPL

RR vs CSK Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If CSK bats first

• Powerplay Score: 45–50

• Predicted Total: 155–165

• Match Result: RR to win

Scenario 2: If RR bats first

• Powerplay Score: 50–55

• Predicted Total: 170–180

• Match Result: RR to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

RR vs CSK Predicted Playing XIs

Rajasthan Royals 

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Donovan Ferreira, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande, Adam Milne.

Chennai Super Kings 

Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Ayush Mhatre, Shivam Dube, Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Noor Ahmad, Matt Henry, Akeal Hosein, Khaleel Ahmed.

Why Rajasthan Royals is the favourite

• Young team

• Balanced squad

• Solid pace attack 

RR vs CSK Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

Based on current form, team balance, and superior batting strength, Rajasthan Royals is the favourite to win this IPL 2026 match. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Shimron Hetmyer are expected to be the key performers.

Prediction: Rajasthan Royals to win

India's young sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, gave fans a fun and light moment after he organized a birthday party for his Rajasthan Royals teammates. Many players came together at the party, making it a nice team bonding time during the IPL season.

When someone asked him about the party and its cost, he smiled and said, “Bahut mehenga hai par kya karein, manage karna padta hai.” He meant that the party was quite expensive, but he still had to handle it. His reply was simple and funny.

Fans liked his reaction and shared it online. People enjoyed his honest and playful answer. Such moments show that players also have fun together and share a good bond outside the game.

Watch the video here:

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s reaction after giving a birthday party to his RR teammates.

Vaibhav said, "Bahut mehenga hai par kya karein, manage karna padta hai." 😂❤️

Now Vaibhav Suryavanshi is 15 years old 🎉 pic.twitter.com/vZSCEG54Ix

— Bemba Tavuma 🐐 (@gaandfaadtits) March 29, 2026

Vaibhav Suryavanshi shares hilarious moment with Rajasthan Royals teammates

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who recently turned 15, has now become eligible for selection in India’s senior team. He is also expected to play a key role as a batter in the upcoming IPL season. His impressive performances in the previous IPL, Youth ODIs, the U19 Asia Cup, and the U19 World Cup have raised strong expectations around him.

Recently, he hosted a birthday celebration for his Rajasthan Royals teammates. While the event was meant to be a light and enjoyable team gathering, his humorous reaction about the cost of organizing it quickly gained attention.

In a video that went viral on social media, Suryavanshi spoke candidly about the expenses. He said, “All this is very expensive, but what can I do? I have to manage.” He further added that arranging a party for a large group of teammates requires proper planning and balance.

The celebration also contributed positively to team morale within the Rajasthan Royals camp. Such off-field interactions play an important role in building strong team spirit and unity, which are essential during a demanding tournament like the IPL.

See also -Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes joint second-fastest fifty at U19 World Cup 2026

RR squad enjoys light moments ahead of IPL 2026

Ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026, players of the Rajasthan Royals were seen enjoying light and relaxed moments together, creating a positive team environment. Young batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi also shared his thoughts during this time, adding a personal touch. Speaking about hosting the team, he said that organizing such moments is “very expensive” but something he has to manage. His honest and simple remark highlighted both the fun side of the squad and the effort behind bringing everyone together, strengthening team bonding.

Fans react to Suryavanshi’s viral birthday celebration clip

Fans reacted strongly to the viral birthday celebration clip of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Many people on social media found his comment funny and easy to relate to. His simple line about the party being expensive made fans smile and share the video widely. Supporters also liked his honest and humble nature. Some fans said it showed a different side of IPL players, where they enjoy small moments together. Overall, the clip received a positive response and helped him connect more with fans.

Upcoming starboy

— ADITYA (@wXtreme18) March 29, 2026

Ye konsa hisab se 15 saal ka lagta hai . Uncle lag raha hai

— Jon Snow (@SKharvi77480) March 29, 2026

15 and already funding team bonding like a CEO 😂

— Brosnan Hoban (@BrosnanHoban)March 29, 2026

Happy Birthday vaibhav

— SIR AYUSH 💛 (@ayush_m255)

March 29, 2026

15 years old and already feeling the pain of a 'Birthday Treat' bill! 💸🎂 Vaibhav Suryavanshi saying 'Bahut mehenga hai' while treating his Rajasthan Royals teammates is the most relatable thing you’ll see today. From U-19 hero to budget manager real quick! 😂💗…

— RG (@rohit1288) March 29, 2026

Happy Birthday vaibhav

— SIR AYUSH 💛 (@ayush_m255) March 29, 2026

Bhai kitna paisa kma bhi to rha h

— Bhanu (@Bhanu_R780) March 29, 2026

The Rajasthan Royals, winners of the inaugural Indian Premier League title in 2008, have been chasing a second trophy for years. They came closest in 2022 but fell short in the final against the Gujarat Titans, and endured a disappointing 2025 season, finishing near the bottom of the table with just four wins. Heading into IPL 2026, the franchise made bold decisions to reshape the squad.

Long-time captain Sanju Samson was traded to Chennai Super Kings in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran (who is ruled out this season). Meanwhile, Samson rediscovered his form on the international stage, earning Player of the Tournament honours in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. With Riyan Parag now taking over the captaincy and a refreshed squad in place, here’s a SWOT analysis of the Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026.

RR IPL 2026 Squad: Riyan Parag (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja (traded in), Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, Nandre Burger, Sam Curran (traded in & ruled out), Adam Milne, Kwena Maphaka, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Donovan Ferreira (traded in), Ravi Singh, Shubham Dubey, Kuldeep Sen, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Vignesh Puthur, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Brijesh Sharma, Aman Rao

Strength

Power-hitting remains a defining strength for the Rajasthan Royals, with their batting lineup built to dominate in high-scoring situations. Young talent like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already showcased his potential with one of the fastest centuries in IPL history, adding a new dimension to their attack.

At the top, Yashasvi Jaiswal provides consistency and stability, while the middle order, featuring Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, and Riyan Parag, brings significant firepower. This combination gives RR the ability to accelerate quickly and post or chase big totals with confidence.

Weakness

Despite having a balanced squad, the Rajasthan Royals still face questions around their batting structure. While players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Shimron Hetmyer have defined roles, the middle order lacks clarity.

There is uncertainty around how Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Donovan Ferreira will be utilised, along with whether Ravindra Jadeja will take on a bigger batting role or act as backup. The absence of Sam Curran due to injury further disrupts the balance. While this flexibility provides options, the lack of fixed roles could lead to inconsistency if not resolved early in the season.

See Also: IPL 2026: SWOT Analysis of Kolkata Knight Riders

Opportunity

With a young and refreshed squad, the Rajasthan Royals have a strong opportunity to reshape their identity and lay the foundation for long-term success. Embracing a fearless style of play, combined with a clear future-focused strategy, could help them remain competitive while nurturing emerging talent.

If this approach clicks, RR have the potential not only to push for a playoff spot but also to emerge as serious contenders, making IPL 2026 a crucial season in their evolution. In addition, the spin department's major revamp with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Bishnoi helming it could be another opportunity.

Threat

While Rajasthan Royals boast impressive overseas options, managing that depth could become a challenge. With only four overseas slots available in the playing XI, selecting the right combination each game is not straightforward. Frequent changes based on conditions or matchups may lead to instability, preventing players from settling into defined roles.

If key batters go through a dip in form, the team may be forced to rely on relatively untested options, potentially affecting consistency. Striking the right balance between rotation and stability will be crucial for RR to maintain momentum throughout the season.

Former CSK player Sam Billings spoke about his experience of sharing the dressing room with former India captain MS Dhoni. The England cricketer described Dhoni as a very calm and “cool” person, and mentioned that he always kept his door open for teammates during the IPL.

Billings also shared an interesting detail, saying that Dhoni had a staff member whose main responsibility was to take care of his shisha pipe. He spoke about this in a video that later became popular online. According to Billings, “He has a person who manages the shisha (hookah). That is his only role in the group.”

While this may surprise some fans, Dhoni’s habit is not new. He is known for creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in his hotel room, which helps younger players feel comfortable and adjust quickly to the team environment.

Watch the video here:

“He can’t go outside!” 😳

Imagine watching Man United with MS Dhoni! pic.twitter.com/boK5M3Sb3G

— Stick to Cricket (@StickToCricket) March 17, 2026

Former CSK star Sam Billings opens up about watching football with MS Dhoni during the IPL

In episode 37 of the Stick to Cricket podcast, the former England cricketer shared another interesting detail about the lifestyle of former Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni.

Billings said that both of them support the same Premier League club and used to watch every match together. Notably, the English wicket-keeper-batter was part of the CSK squad during their 2018 title-winning season and spoke about how he built a good connection with Dhoni through their shared support for Manchester United.

“[He is] obviously a Man United fan, like myself, and so we’d watch every Man United game because he can’t leave the hotel, he can’t go downstairs to the hotel bar, and he’d get a load of the lads,” Billings said.

See Also -MS Dhoni shares valuable life lesson with Chennai Super Kings’ ₹14.2 crore star

The English batter describes the incredible aura of MS Dhoni as the coolest superstar in cricket

Calling MS Dhoni the best captain he has played under, Sam Billings offered high praise for his leadership and personality.

“MS Dhoni has to be. In terms of his captaincy and his aura, he is outstanding. He is incredibly calm and genuinely cool. You do not meet many people like that. Despite his massive stardom, he remains a very humble and lovely person,” Billings said.

Billings spent two seasons with Chennai Super Kings and was part of their 2018 title-winning squad. He earned recognition for his crucial half-century against KKR. Overall, he has played 30 IPL matches, scoring 503 runs.

Interestingly, Captain Cools’s shisha (hookah) habit may surprise some, but it is not new. The former India captain is known for creating a relaxed, lounge-like atmosphere in his hotel room, helping younger players feel comfortable and settle in. Several former teammates have also spoken about his open-door policy, where he often invited players to join him. Videos of him smoking a hookah in Dubai after his international retirement have also gone viral in the past.

However, as the IPL 2026 season is set to begin on March 28, the focus will once again be on Dhoni. Questions about whether this will be his final season are expected to arise. He has played almost every season for Chennai Super Kings and has been the face of the franchise, leading them to five titles.

Last season, the legendary batter scored 196 runs in 13 innings, with an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17. His highest score was an unbeaten 30. Earlier this month, he joined the CSK pre-season camp for Indian players.

He also attended the T20 World Cup 2026 final between India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest captains, Dhoni retired from international cricket in August 2020. He stepped down as CSK captain ahead of the 2022 season but took back the role from Ravindra Jadeja during the tournament. While CSK failed to reach the playoffs that year, Dhoni led them to their fifth title in the following season.

The BCCI revealed the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule on Wednesday. The tournament will start on March 28, with the opening match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The remaining schedule will be announced later because of elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Assam.

Entering its 19th season, the Indian Premier League has become a tournament where agility in the field is as important as skill with the bat or ball. Over the 18 seasons played between 2008 and 2025, only an elite group of five players have taken 100 or more career catches. Remarkably, four of these five are Indian players, showing the high standards of domestic fielding in the league.

Here are the only five players in IPL history to achieve this milestone:

1. Virat Kohli

A key player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru since IPL began, Virat Kohli leads the list. From 2008 to 2025, he played 267 matches and took 118 catches. He is also the league’s all-time highest run-scorer with 8,661 runs at an average of 39.54, including eight centuries and 63 half-centuries.

2. Suresh Raina

One of India’s best athletes, Suresh Raina, was a top fielder before retirement. He played 205 matches between 2008 and 2021, mostly for Chennai Super Kings, and took 109 catches. Raina scored 5,528 runs in his IPL career with an average of 32.51, finishing as the fifth-highest run-scorer in IPL history.

3. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja also has 109 catches in 254 matches. He played for teams like the Rajasthan Royals and the Chennai Super Kings. Jadeja is the only player in this group to take four catches in a single IPL match. He has scored 3,260 runs and is a leading wicket-taker as a spinner.

4. Kieron Pollard

The only overseas player on this list, Kieron Pollard, was a star fielder for the Mumbai Indians from 2010 to 2022. In 189 matches, he took 103 catches. Famous for his spectacular one-handed catches, Pollard also scored 3,412 runs with a strike rate above 140.

5. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma, former captain of the Mumbai Indians, took 102 catches in 272 matches. Playing since IPL 2008, he is the second-highest run-scorer in league history with 7,046 runs. His reliable fielding has been crucial for both the Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians.

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) shared a cinematic video to welcome Ravindra Jadeja in the city ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Before the mini auction, the former IPL winners traded the ace spin bowling all-rounder from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to bolster squad strength. The trade was a surprising move, involving every party in it.

Ravindra Jadeja spent a total of 12 IPL seasons with CSK, in two phases. His IPL journey started with the Rajasthan Royals through the 2007-08 season, when Jadeja was a youngster. Now, when he made a return to Rajasthan, he is a decorated, seasoned campaigner.

It was the Rajasthan-based who claimed the trophy in the inaugural season of the league. In the 2007-08 season, a 19-year-old Ravindra Jadeja scored 135 runs in 14 matches, including a highest score of 36 not out. Jadeja left the Royals ahead of the IPL 2011 season to join Kochi Tuskers Kerala (Now defunct), and then joined CSK in 2012.

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The latest video of the Rajasthan Royals and Ravindra Jadeja attracted cricket fans' attention

𝐊𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚 𝐆𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢, 𝐑𝐚𝐣𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 🔥⚔️

Ravindrasinh Jadeja has arrived for IPL 2026 💗 pic.twitter.com/fVUVl5zTjZ

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 10, 2026

Jadeja returned to the Rajasthan Royals after about 19 years. The franchise and the fans have a lot of expectations from the all-rounder, who has scored a total of 3260 runs so far in the league, and bagged 170 wickets as well with his spin bowling. 

The video, the franchise shared on social media platforms on the evening of March 10, is a reflection of the faith, trust, and confidence the team has in him. Can Ravindra Jadeja help the team revive their golden days? The answer is lying on time’s lap. As of now, cricket fans across social media platforms can enjoy the masterful video production.