After a shortened game earlier this week, Guwahati gets another shot at hosting a full contest. It will be the last IPL 2026 game at the Barsapara Stadium, with Rajasthan Royals (RR) hosting the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 10. The conditions above the head look far more stable this time, but the surface itself might still keep things interesting.
Guwahati pitch report: Not quite a flat belter
At first glance, the pitch has a decent covering of grass and a slight sheen, but underneath it remains dry. That combination often means a tricky balance. There is enough in it early for the seamers, but as the ball gets older, it tends to grip and slow down.
This isn’t expected to be a 200-plus surface. The dimensions also play a part. With square boundaries around 63m and 66m and 78m straight, batters will have scoring options, but they will need to pick their moments rather than go hard throughout.
The previous game here showed that once the initial moisture settles, strokeplay becomes easier. But the middle overs could decide the contest. Quality spin and cutters into the surface are likely to be effective, especially if the pitch behaves similarly to earlier in the week.
| Type | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | Economy | Strike Rate | 4-fers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pace | 8 | 50 | 4/30 | 9.15 | 18.3 | 1 |
| Spin | 8 | 32 | 4/35 | 8.01 | 18.2 | 1 |
The numbers suggest that while pacers take more wickets, spinners have been slightly more economical. That lines up with what we’ve seen here. Fast bowlers make early inroads, but spinners control the game through the middle. For RR, that brings Ravi Bishnoi into the game. For RCB, someone like Suyash Sharma could become important depending on how the pitch holds.
Catch RR’s predicted playing XI for this match here.
Guwahati weather report: Rain unlikely to interfere
Unlike the last match, the weather looks cooperative. There were light spells earlier in the day, but by evening, the chances of rain drop. Temperatures are expected to hover between 21°C and 25°C, with only minimal cloud cover. Wind conditions are mild, and the overall forecast points towards uninterrupted play.
Hourly rain prediction in Guwahati (April 10)
| Time (IST) | Temperature | Rain Chances (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 PM | 25°C | 20% |
| 6:00 PM | 24°C | 15% |
| 7:00 PM | 24°C | 5% |
| 8:00 PM | 23°C | 5% |
| 9:00 PM | 22°C | 5% |
| 10:00 PM | 22°C | 5% |
| 11:00 PM | 21°C | 5% |
| 12:00 AM | 21°C | 3% |
So while there might be a bit of stickiness early on, the conditions should settle quickly once the game begins. Batting first isn’t a bad option here, especially if the pitch gets tougher later. But if dew sets in, chasing could still hold an edge.
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