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Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings will test one of the biggest trades in the history of the Indian Premier League when they open their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 in Guwahati.

The match will immediately put the spotlight on the blockbuster swap involving Sanju Samson and Ravindra Jadeja, one of the most talked-about moves ahead of the new season.

After lifting the title in 2023, Chennai endured a difficult phase and their struggles peaked in 2025 when they finished at the bottom of the table. With a revamped squad and a fresh approach, the franchise will be hoping to return to its familiar dominant form this year.

Also READ: When will Mumbai Indians play their first match of IPL 2026? MI's schedule revealed

Fixtures for Chennai Super Kings

As per the schedule announced so far, Chennai’s first four matches promise exciting contests:

  • March 30 – vs Rajasthan Royals, Guwahati
  • April 3 – vs Punjab Kings, Chennai
  • April 5 – vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Bengaluru
  • April 11 – vs Delhi Capitals, Chennai

The league has announced the schedule through April 12, with four of the 20 matches scheduled for the afternoon.

Blockbuster clash against RCB

One of the most exciting fixtures in CSK’s early schedule will come on April 5, when CSK take on arch-rivals RCB at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The rivalry has produced several memorable contests over the years and the last season added another chapter when Bengaluru managed to defeat Chennai twice in the same season for the first time.

With two of the league’s most passionate fan bases behind them, matches between these sides often carry an electric atmosphere. Supporters from both camps will be eagerly waiting for this blockbuster encounter.

Meanwhile, Sanju Samson arrives after showing impressive form in the recent T20 World Cup and CSK will be hoping the dynamic batter adds new firepower to their lineup.

Young guns will lead the CSK charge in IPL 2026

Chennai also made several adjustments to their squad in the recent auction. Some promising names had already joined the setup in the previous season, including players such as Urvil Patel and Ayush Mhatre, while mid-season additions like Dewald Brevis given massive boost.

With these changes, the team believes it now has a strong mix of youth and experience that could help them bounce back after a disappointing campaign last year.

The upcoming season could also carry emotional significance for the CSK fans as it might be the final IPL appearance of legendary captain MS Dhoni.