Although the IPL’s arrival in Jaipur was somewhat delayed, Royal Challengers Bengaluru couldn’t have asked for a finer moment. A change of location could provide some respite from a home field that hasn’t been used much lately. The squad currently has the undesirable record for the most losses at a single location after suffering two more losses at the Chinnaswamy this season. Although Dinesh Karthik has kindly requested “good pitches,” it’s unclear if it would stop the trend on its own. If there are any solutions, they are still elusive. For the time being, however.
RCB gets an opportunity to resume their campaign at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, where they have performed much better away from the Bengaluru air. Their middle order, which has historically been a weak link, put on outstanding performances that led to victories in Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai that were iconic in and of itself. Even if Jaipur isn’t the stronghold it once was, it still gives them a genuine chance to win two points against a team that is equally unfamiliar with the stadium, particularly because this is their first game there after a significant roster change.
The hosts The Rajasthan Royals have also had a patchy record, winning two straight games before suffering a crushing defeat in their most recent match. However, considering their recent tendency to get off to a great start before falling away, perhaps it’s not the worst thing that they haven’t gotten off to a great start. They won eight of their first nine games in the 2024 Indian Premier League before losing four straight before their last league game was canceled. The same pattern showed up in 2023: four wins in their first five, followed by just three in their next nine.
As for RCB, they might not need to rely on home comforts as much if they keep winning on the road. But first, they’ll need their bowling to regroup after the defeat to Delhi Capitals. And then there’s the small matter of Jofra Archer charging in against a batting unit that doesn’t mind pace. Who wins this one?
When: Match 28, IPL 2025, Sunday April 13, at 03:30 PM local
Where: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
What to anticipate: Over the previous two IPL seasons, the location had the lowest pacer average and strike rate of any IPL ground; however, it is unclear how the pitches would perform this year. Jaipur is predicted to see a scorching day with evening highs of 37 degrees. There won’t be any rain. Over ten games over the past two seasons, the average first-inning score is 180. Additionally, teams batting first and second have an equal win-loss record, with five victories apiece.
Head to head: RR 14 – 15 RCB
Team news
Rajasthan Royals
Injuries/Availability: There are concerns around the availability of Wanindu Hasaranga, who pulled out of the last match due to personal reasons.
Strategies and Matchups: It will be interesting to watch the wristspinners take on the RCB middle order. RCB’s No. 4 to 7 had hit the most sixes this season going into their most recent game, but they only managed one in the defeat to the Delhi Capitals (note, Tim David came in at No. 8). The damage was caused by spin on a surface that provided support, and a lot will rely on how Kartikeya and Hasaranga, assuming he plays, perform against this middle order.
Probable XII: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson(c), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga/ Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, Kumar Kartikeya
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Injuries/Availability: The entire squad is available to pick from.
Matchups and Strategies: The Rajasthan Royals have suffered in the middle overs (overs 7–15) of the IPL thus far, losing 18 wickets in this phase. In their last two games, legspinner Suyash Sharma has continuously kept RCB from scoring, but their potent pace attack may contribute with a few quiet overs.
Probable XII: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Liam Livingstone/ Jacob Bethell, Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma
What they said
“I see myself as captain when I’m on the field, but when I’m batting, I don’t feel the pressure of being a captain. I focus on my strengths with the bat and avoid feeling like I have to do something different just because I am leading the team. Even in domestic cricket, I try to stay in the moment and do my best for the team.” – Rajat Patidar on how he has taken the role of captain so far
