With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 set to kick off on March 28, former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Suresh Raina has stirred conversation by revealing his predicted playing XI for the Rajasthan Royals (RR). His selections include a few bold calls – most notably placing Ravindra Jadeja at No. 4 and hinting at the possible omission of Sam Curran.
With Rajasthan set to open their campaign against CSK on March 30 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, Raina’s XI offers a fascinating glimpse into how the inaugural champions might shape up this season.
Suresh Raina names RR’s playing XI for IPL 2026
Raina began with a strong and exciting opening pair – young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. The teenage prodigy Suryavanshi, fresh off a remarkable U19 World Cup campaign, is already making headlines for his fearless batting and big ambitions. Pairing him with Jaiswal gives RR an aggressive left-handed opening combination capable of dominating powerplays.
At No. 3, Raina placed captain Riyan Parag, calling him an attacking option who can break the rhythm after two left-handers at the top. With Parag stepping into a leadership role following Sanju Samson’s move to CSK, the responsibility on his shoulders will be significant.
The biggest surprise in Raina’s XI comes at No. 4, where he slotted in Ravindra Jadeja. Traditionally known as a lower-order finisher, Jadeja’s promotion suggests a more strategic role in stabilizing innings while maintaining scoring momentum.
“Ravindra Jadeja could easily slot in at No. 4,” said Raina.
This move indicates Raina’s belief in Jadeja’s ability to anchor the innings while also accelerating when required—a role that could add flexibility to RR’s batting lineup.
In the middle order, Shimron Hetmyer takes the No. 5 spot as the designated finisher. Known for his explosive hitting, Hetmyer remains a key asset in closing out innings strongly. Behind him, Dhruv Jurel is expected to handle wicketkeeping duties while adding stability at No. 6.
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RR’s bowling strategy
One of the most talked-about aspects of Raina’s predicted XI is the uncertainty around Sam Curran’s place in the team. Despite being a high-profile all-rounder, Raina suggested that RR might opt for a different overseas combination.
“I feel this is the team that will play. Maybe they won’t play Sam Curran, and Ferreira can come in,” he added.
This opens the door for Donovan Ferreira to feature instead, depending on team balance and match conditions. It’s a tough call, considering Curran’s all-round abilities, but one that reflects the competition for overseas spots in the squad.
Raina’s overseas picks include Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, and either Curran or Ferreira. This combination leans toward a strong pace attack, particularly suited to Guwahati conditions.
The bowling unit, as predicted by Raina, is heavily pace-oriented. Alongside Archer and Burger, he included Tushar Deshpande and Sandeep Sharma. This four-seamer setup suggests RR may look to exploit pace-friendly surfaces early in the tournament.
As the Impact Player, Raina chose Ravi Bishnoi, giving the team the option to introduce spin depending on match situations. Bishnoi’s ability to pick wickets in the middle overs makes him a valuable tactical weapon.
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