L-R: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag, Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma An emotional subplot will headline Monday’s IPL clash as Sanju Samson faces Rajasthan Royals for the first time after leading them for over a decade. Now with Chennai Super Kings, Samson – former RR captain and all-time leading run-scorer – is back in top form after a stellar T20 World Cup campaign where he hit three consecutive half-centuries.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!His move, part of a high-profile swap to see Ravindra Jadeja rejoin Rajasthan, adds further intrigue. With MS Dhoni out due to injury, Samson will share the leadership duties with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top.
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Angkrish Raghuvanshi only focused on team wins CSK are emerging in transition, bolstered by emerging talent and a diverse bowling attack. Meanwhile, Rajasthan begin a new era under Riyan Parag with Yashasvi Jaiswal leading the batting alongside Shimron Hetmyer.While RR boast explosive batting options, there are lingering concerns about their bowling consistency. Having launched stunning campaigns in 2025, both sides will see this clash as a chance to renew and rebuild momentum.
Top 5 players to watch in RR vs CSK
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (15 years old)The Rajasthan Royals opener enters his second IPL season after a sensational debut year and carries considerable expectations. At just 14, he made history by becoming the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket with his 101-ball knock against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025. His century came off just 35 deliveries, the second fastest in IPL history. He amassed 252 runs in seven matches at a staggering pace of 206.55, underscoring his fearless approach at the top. Against Chennai Super Kings last season, he scored a brisk 57 off 33 balls, including four sixes and four fours. His explosive power play makes him a key figure for RR once again.Riyan Parag (24 years old)Riyan Parag begins his first full season as Rajasthan Royals captain following the departure of Sanju Samson, who takes charge at his home ground. One of the youngest captains in IPL history, Parag has steadily grown into a central figure in the franchise since his debut in 2019. In IPL 2025, he led the side in eight matches and scored 393 runs, becoming RR’s second highest run-getter with a strike rate of 166.52. His breakthrough came in 2024 when he amassed 573 runs in 16 matches at an average of 52.09. Overall, Parag has 1566 runs from 84 games at a strike rate of 141.84. He scored 122 runs with a highest score of 47 in eight matches against CSK.Sanju Samson (31 years old)Sanju Samson will be in the limelight as he makes his first appearance in Chennai Super Kings colors after being the face of Rajasthan Royals for over a decade. After playing 11 seasons with RR, he remains their all-time leading run-scorer with over 4000 runs. Overall, Samson amassed 4704 runs in 177 IPL matches at an average of 30.94 and a strike rate of 139.04, including three centuries and 26 fifties. He enters the season in great shape after a man-of-the-tournament performance in the T20 World Cup 2026. His first match against RR adds emotional weight and makes him one of the biggest attractions in this competition.Kartik Sharma (19 years old)Kartik Sharma is a young wicket taker known for his power skills. He became the joint most expensive uncapped Indian player in the history of IPL auctions when Chennai Super Kings signed him for Rs 14.2 crore. After being part of CSK’s wider squad in IPL 2025, he has now broken into the main squad for the 2026 season. If Sharma is included in the playing XI, he could make his debut and bring with him the reputation of an aggressive young finisher.Ayush Mhatre (18 years old)Another exciting young talent, Ayush Mhatre enters his second season of the IPL after making a strong impression in 2025. In seven matches, he has scored 240 runs at an average of 34.28 and a remarkable strike rate of 188.97, including a top score of 94. Originally unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, Mhatre earned a duet at mid-up to Kingsea and Mhatre earned an injury duet Ruturaje Gaikwad and immediately intervened. Against Rajasthan Royals, he took 43 off 20 at a pace of 215, showcasing his aggressive batting style.
