Overview
Both Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have had plenty of individual highlights to savour already this season. The batting of Yashasvi Jaiswal and, at times, Sanju Samson has been a joy to watch, while Bangalore’s Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli are both very much in the mix for the Orange cap. RCB have also seen some fabulous new-ball spells from Mohammed Siraj, and Rajasthan have witnessed the same from Trent Boult. For the Royals, both Yuzvendra Chahal – once of RCB – and R Ashwin have been immense, while Harshal Patel and Wanindu Hasaranga have had their moments with the ball for Bangalore as well.
But cricket is a team sport, and both these sides could be watching the play-offs from the sidelines if they don’t win their remaining matches, or other results don’t go their way. Rajasthan rebounded from a horror run of five losses in six games to hammer Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens. Bangalore have slipped down the table after two straight losses in Delhi and Mumbai.
To add to the intrigue around a game neither can really afford to lose, this is a mid-afternoon start in baking heat, conditions that usually don’t favour the free-stroking batting these teams are renowned for. It could well end up another trial by spin, and Rajasthan look better equipped to emerge from that victorious.
Venue and time
Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur. 3:30 PM IST
Head-to-Head
Bangalore have a 14-12 edge historically, but haven’t won in Jaipur since 2012. Rajasthan have won four of their previous seven home matches against Bangalore.
Expected conditions and toss
The mercury could be close to 40C when the match begins. This season, Jaipur has seen totals in excess of 200, and one as low as 118. But those were evening games, and the pitch could well be very slow in the post-noon heat. The team winning the toss could well decide to put a total on the board.
Likely Playing XIs and Impact Player
Rajasthan could again use KM Asif as their impact bowler, with either Jaiswal or Devdutt Padikkal making way. Bangalore are likely to use Kedar Jadhav or Harshal Patel as their impact sub, depending on whether they bowl or bat first.
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (C, WK), Joe Root, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (C), Anuj Rawat, Glenn Maxwell, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Mahipal Lomror, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood, Vijaykumar Vysakh.
Also Read: Prabhsimran Magic Ends Delhi’s Slim Hopes