After contrasting journeys to the playoffs, RCB enters the showdown with the wind in their sails, poised to take on a faltering Royals side.
Overview
There are no second chances. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) faced a setback when they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by just one run in their pursuit of a 200-plus target on April 21. This defeat marked their seventh loss in eight games, putting them at the bottom of the league. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, SPONTASY highlighted a slim chance for RCB to turn things around.
Subsequently, RCB underwent a remarkable transformation. They won six consecutive matches, not just securing victories but dominating their opponents with comfortable margins. This remarkable turnaround boosted their net run-rate and propelled them above three other teams with the same points, allowing them to make a dramatic entry into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals (RR) seemed destined for the top spot with eight wins in nine games. However, their downfall was unexpected. It began subtly with narrow defeats in high-scoring chases, eventually culminating in four consecutive losses. Despite their earlier dominance, RR’s safety net faltered, and they missed out on a second chance to reach the final due to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) victory in the last league match.
The importance of confidence, momentum, and experience in cricket cannot be overstated. The unpredictable nature of T20 cricket was evident in the contrasting fortunes of RCB and RR. While RCB enter the Eliminator with the confidence of having won six such matches already, RR lack experience in high-pressure knockout games this season.
Team Updates and Key Players Strategy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru : In their last match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), RCB reintroduced Glenn Maxwell into the playing eleven as Will Jacks returned to England. Maxwell made a quick 16 off 5 balls and also picked up a wicket in his first over, finishing with figures of 1 for 25 in four overs. It’s likely that RCB will stick with the same lineup. Either Rajat Patidar or left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh will start in the XI, while the other will be kept as an Impact Player depending on whether RCB bat or bowl first.
Expected Playing XII:
- Virat Kohli
- Faf du Plessis (capt)
- Rajat Patidar
- Cameron Green
- Glenn Maxwell
- Dinesh Karthik (wk)
- Mahipal Lomror
- Swapnil Singh
- Karn Sharma
- Lockie Ferguson
- Yash Dayal
- Mohammed Siraj
Rajasthan Royals : RR has consistently won the toss in their previous full games but struggled to post competitive totals. Opting to bat first allows them to maximize their Impact Player strategy: having six batters and five bowlers in their starting XI gives them the flexibility to add an extra specialist bowler for the chase if needed. Conversely, if they field first with six specialist bowlers, they risk having only six specialist batters for the chase. In recent matches, RR replaced Dhruv Jurel with fast bowler Nandre Burger after the first innings against Chennai, and they included Donovan Ferreira as an extra batter against Punjab Kings (PBKS) due to a batting collapse.
Although Shimron Hetmyer has recovered from injury, he was not included in RR’s last league fixture. If he’s fit for the Eliminator, he could replace either Rovman Powell or Ferreira.
Expected Playing XII:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Tom Kohler-Cadmore
- Sanju Samson (capt & wk)
- Riyan Parag
- Dhruv Jurel
- Shimron Hetmyer
- R Ashwin
- Trent Boult
- Avesh Khan
- Sandeep Sharma
- Yuzvendra Chahal
- Rovman Powell/Donovan Ferreira/Nandre Burger
Recent Track Record
Rajasthan Royals [RR] :[ L , L , L , L , W]
Royal Challengers Bengaluru [RCB] :[ W , W , W , W , W]
In the limelight
The combination of Kohli and Faf du Plessis’ quick starts, Patidar’s effective play against spin in the middle overs, and the solid finishing contributions from Cameron Green and Dinesh Karthik have significantly boosted RCB’s run rate. It has surged from 9.54 in the first half of the season to an impressive 11.03 in the second half, marking the best performance in this period. Throughout their six-match winning streak, RCB has maintained impressive strike rates: 170 in the powerplay, 174 in the middle overs, and a striking 199 in the death overs. As they head into the Eliminator, most of their batsmen are in excellent form.
The bowlers of RCB have also stepped up, contributing to the team’s success by significantly reducing their collective economy rate from 10.70 (the worst in the league) in the first half of the season to 9.22 (the second best) in the latter half.
On the flip side, RR’s performance has been less impressive, especially in the batting department. They have struggled to maintain a high run rate, scoring at just 9.07 in the second half of the season, the lowest among all teams. The top four batsmen, who performed well in the initial games with a collective average of 50 and a strike rate of 153, have seen a dip in their form. In the last four defeats, their average has dropped to 31.66 and the strike rate to 133.42. Key players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson have struggled for runs in recent innings, while Tom Kohler-Cadmore, replacing Buttler as opener, made only 18 runs in his sole match before the Eliminator. With only Riyan Parag consistently performing, RR will rely on other players to step up and support him in the batting lineup.
Pitch Conditions and Statistics
The pitch selected for the Eliminator is the same one where Gujarat Titans achieved a remarkable score of 231 for 3 against CSK, resulting in a 35-run victory on May 10. Ahmedabad is not expected to receive any rainfall on Wednesday, and the weather forecast predicts extremely high temperatures, ranging between 40-45°C during the daytime and cooling down to 30-35°C in the evening. Whether dew forms on the pitch will depend on the temperature difference between day and night.
Important Stats According to SPONTASY logs
- Kohli’s powerplay strike rate has been outstanding in his last eight innings, reaching 187. This performance has elevated his overall strike rate in the first six overs to 162 this season, marking his best performance in any IPL season.
- Yash Dayal has played a significant role in RCB’s recent success, even before his crucial final over against CSK. During RCB’s six consecutive victories, he has taken eight wickets with an impressive economy rate of 7.78, particularly remarkable as he often bowls during the death overs. Dayal also has a favorable record against Jaiswal in T20s, conceding only 11 runs off 12 balls and dismissing him twice.
- In the only RR-RCB match this season, Sandeep Sharma was absent due to injury, allowing Kohli to score an unbeaten century. Sharma has dismissed Kohli seven times in 15 T20 matches, conceding only 87 runs off 67 balls.
Optimizing Dream11 Lineups with Spontasy App
🏏 Elevate Your Dream11 Lineup for RR vs RCB Clash with Spontasy App! 🏏
Fantasy Cricket Enthusiasts, get ready for an exhilarating face-off between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Dream11 . As the excitement builds up for this thrilling encounter, it’s crucial to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both teams to craft a winning lineup.
To maximize your chances of fantasy cricket success, leverage the powerful features of the Spontasy app. With its AI-driven lineup suggestions and expert insights tailored specifically for the RR vs RCB match, Spontasy gives you a strategic advantage to conquer your Dream11 journey.
Don’t miss out! Download the Spontasy app from the Google Play Store now to access real-time updates, detailed player statistics, and personalized lineup recommendations for the RR vs RCB clash, along with a wide range of other Dream11 contests. Stay ahead of the competition and optimize your Dream11 lineup effortlessly with Spontasy! 🚀🏏 #Dream11 #Dream11App #Spontasy #Cricket #AILineup #RRvsRCB #TeamPrediction #Today’sMatch