Rajasthan Royals (RR) will be taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 19th match of the IPL 2024. Both teams have had a contrasting journey in the league till now. While RCB have lost three of their four matches, RR have won all their three matches. The match is set to take place at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. In the past, it was a fortress for RR. In the ongoing season, RR have won both their matches at home. The challenge is cut out for the visiting side given their poor form.
RCB have some of the best players in the world in their lineup. At the top of the order, they have the likes of world class batters like Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis. In the middle order, they have some very good batters like Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Dinesh Karthik, and so on. Their bowling lineup has some good names like Mohammad Siraj, Mayank Dagar, Lockie Ferguson, and others. In addition to it, they have some talented players like Will Jacks, Alzarri Joseph, Anuj Rawat, and so on.
RR have been on a roll in the ongoing tournament. Their bowling has been great as most of their bowlers have won them a match. While the batting unit has not put-up massive scores on the board, they have done enough to get to a par score to help the bowlers. Despite the lack of balance, results have been in their favor. In the last game, RR bowlers dominated MI by reducing them to just 126 runs. The match against RCB can help RR to reclaim the top spot in the points table.
Here is the possible XI of RR against RCB:
Top order – Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, and Sanju Samson (C & WK)
In the top 3, RR has world class batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, and Sanju Samson. However, neither of their openers have yet fired with the bat. They have been the best batters of RR over the last few years and there are huge expectations to perform. Their form does not seem to be a huge concern for RR now given their success. However, going into the tournament, they will have to be back in form as early as possible.
Buttler was the leading run scorer and MVP of the season in 2022. The star batter has been out of form since IPL 2023. He needs to be aggressive and not worry about results. Sanju Samson will come in at number 3. He has been the second-best batter of RR in the ongoing season. Even with the gloves, Samson has been good, claiming some of the most brilliant catches. Even as a skipper, Sanju has taken some good decisions and rotated bowlers well.
Middle Order – Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Shimron Hetmyer
In the middle order, RR will continue to have Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, and Shimron Hetmyer. Parag has been one of the best batters in the league so far. The youngster has been performing well after a series of failures from 2020 to 2023. In all the three matches of RR, he has stepped up well. Against LSG, Parag scored 43(29). He followed it up with a career best 84(45) against DC where he smashed Anrich Nortje for fun.
Against MI, the right-handed batter anchored the chase with an unbeaten 56*(39). To follow him are Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer who have not gotten enough opportunities to bat. While Dhruv has been decent in the chances he has gotten, Hetmyer has failed to make an impact with the bat. Given how well he was in the last few seasons, RR would want him to be back in form. If all their batters are in form, RR might turn out to be an unstoppable force.
Bowlers – Ravichandran Ashwin, Nandre Burger, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, and Sandeep Sharma (Impact substitute)
RR has a lot of options in the bowling department. Nandre Burger and Trent Boult form a deadly new-ball pair. Boult with his bowling against MI won RR the match. Burger was very good against LSG and DC. To follow them would be the pair of Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal who would bowl in the middle overs. Both are totally different in nature and roles but deliver the goods. They have done their job in all matches.
Ravichandran Ashwin has stepped up as a batter too. He is the only All-Rounder in the lineup of RR. He played a fine cameo against DC which changed the complexion of the game. With the ball, he’s been economical. Chahal has been arguably the best spinner in the league so far. He has taken wickets in all the matches. Against MI, it was his spell that did not allow the home side to get a move on. On his day, Chahal can win matches on his own.
Sandeep Sharma and Avesh Khan are the designated death bowlers for RR. They bowl one over in the middle overs and execute their improved skills in the last 4 overs. Both have nailed Yorkers to death. Sandeep has got wide Yorkers going as well. Avesh can deliver an over or two at the top. As a bowling unit, they are highly impressive, which makes them one of the best sides in the IPL 2024.
RR’s predicted XI vs RCB: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (C & WK), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Nandre Burger, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma (Impact substitute)