Rajasthan Royals And Chennai Super Kings are set to begin a new phase of their IPL journey on Monday, but the weather in Guwahati threatens to take center stage before the ball is even bowled. The IPL 2026 opener between the two sides comes with a new narrative as both teams hit the reset button after finishing at the bottom last season. However, several weather forecasts have cast doubt on how much action fans will see. While BBC Weather has predicted “thundershowers” during the scheduled hours of the match, Weather.com has also indicated continuous rain from early evening to midnight. AccuWeather, by contrast, offers a more optimistic outlook, suggesting the rain may clear before the toss, although high humidity is expected to persist. Beyond the uncertainty of the skies, the competition marks a significant change in personnel and leadership. Sanju Samson Departs for CSK after leading Rajasthan Royals till last season. Ravindra Jadeja Returning to the franchise, he has gone in the opposite direction from where he started his IPL career in 2008. Sam Curranhas given a new look to both the squads. Ryan Prague Will lead the Rajasthan Royals in a new role. Rituraj Gaikwad Resigned the captaincy of Chennai Super Kings after the 2025 campaign was cut short due to injury. CSK will also be without MS Dhoni for the opening leg due to a calf problem, and Dewald Brevis has been ruled out of the first game. On paper, Rajasthan Royals have solved their balance issues. The addition of Jadeja along with Ravi Bishnoi gives them more control in the middle overs, while their pace attack, which includes Jofra Archer, Nandre Berger and Adam Milne, offers variety and pace. Chennai Super Kings, however, have questions to answer, especially with the ball. The absence of Nathan Ellis leaves a void in the death overs, with an attack largely dominated by bowlers who are more effective in the powerplay. Noor Ahmed is expected to take over the middle overs, but the closing stages remain a concern.Also read: RR vs CSK Live Score
