Assam

Former India captain Anil Kumble praised Rajasthan Royals for their clinical new-ball bowling, which set up a dominant eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their Indian Premier League 2026 encounter in Guwahati.

A key moment in the match came early when Sanju Samson, playing his first game for CSK, was dismissed by left-arm pacer Nandre Burger. The early breakthrough triggered a collapse from which CSK never recovered.

Speaking on JioHotstar, Kumble noted that the pitch offered assistance to seamers, which Rajasthan’s bowlers exploited effectively. He highlighted how Burger’s delivery, which angled in before straightening after pitching, proved too good for Samson.

Kumble also pointed out the smart adaptability of the Royals’ attack, particularly Jofra Archer, who surprised Samson by pitching the ball full instead of going short.

Meanwhile, former India cricketer Suresh Raina emphasised the impact of Rajasthan’s opening pair—Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal—calling them potential game-changers this season.

Raina noted a clear shift in RR’s batting approach, with greater clarity and depth in the lineup. He also referred to captain Riyan Parag’s emphasis on maintaining an attacking mindset as long as the team continues to win.

Drawing a nostalgic comparison, Raina likened the Sooryavanshi-Jaiswal partnership to the iconic duo of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli during their time at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where explosive starts were complemented by stability.

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A blistering 15-ball half-century from Sooryavanshi, coupled with incisive spells from Archer and Burger, ensured a comfortable victory for Rajasthan, underlining their strong start to the season.