RR vs RCB: Preview, head-to-head and Fantasy XI
Rajasthan Royals will lock horns with Royal Challengers Bangalore in match number 53 of 2018 Indian Premier League. The loser between these two sides will be knocked out of the tournament and that tells us the importance of the game. However, a win for any side does not guarantee progression into play-offs. Here is our pre-match report.
Tight affairs between both sides
These two teams have met 17 times in IPL and the head-to-head records read 8-8. One match did not have a result. In Jaipur, as well, it has been a close call with RCB leading Royals 3-2 in five games. Earlier this season when the two sides met, Rajasthan sealed the match by 19 runs.
Probable Playing XI - Rajasthan Royals
D'Arcy Short, Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Sanju Samson, Heinrich Klaasen, Rahul Tripathi, Stuart Binny, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Anureet Singh, Ish Sodhi and Jaydev Unadkat.
Probable Playing XI - Royal Challengers Bangalore
Parthiv Patel (wicket-keeper), Virat Kohli (captain), AB de Villiers, Moeen Ali, Colin de Grandhomme, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Siraj and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Difficult conditions await players
With the game being held at 4 PM, temperatures would be soaring in Jaipur. Players will find it difficult to bear the heat and they need to stay hydrated as much as possible The pitch once again will see scores around the 160-run mark. Anything better than that would be a bonus for the team batting first.
Stat box - RR vs RCB
RCB have picked the most number of wickets in power-play overs in IPL 2018 (24). RR have lost a total of 41 wickets in middle-overs, which is the most by any side. Both teams have used seven different opening combinations this term. Kohli has been dismissed seven times in 13 innings against spin. RR have lost the most wickets (90) in 13 matches.
Kohli the leader, Samson his deputy - Fantasy XI
Virat Kohli is our choice as captain of the Fantasy XI, with Sanju Samson being the vice-captain. A power-packed batting sees D'Arcy Short, Sarfaraz Khan, AB de Villiers and Rahul Tripathi making the cut. We have decided to go with one all-rounder in the form of Krishnappa Gowtham The bowling looks heavy with Southee, Siraj, Sodhi and Archer in this XI.
