๐ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐๐
Rajasthan Royals
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Rajasthan Royals will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 16th match of IPL 2026 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. One of these teams will register its first defeat of the season in this contest.
Rajasthan will come into this match with 3 wins in 3 games and sit at the top of the table. RCB will also be in strong form with 2 wins in 2 matches and will hold the third spot.
Both teams will rely heavily on their top-order batters to provide solid starts. RCB will have a slight edge based on last seasonโs results, where they defeated Rajasthan twice.
In the last 5 head-to-head meetings, RCB has won 3 matches while Rajasthan have 2 wins. Chasing teams will have won 3 of those games, which will make the toss an important factor in this match.
Rajasthanโs opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have consistently provided faster and more impactful starts in the powerplay compared to RCBโs top order.
The betting tip is...
Highest Opening Partnership - RR
61 %
39 %
Rajasthan RoyalsRoyal Challengers BengaluruRR defeated MI by 27 runs in a shortened 11-over game, scoring 150 and restricting MI to 123/9. Their top order had been delivered consistently. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had attacked in the powerplay and scored 39 off 14 balls in the last match.
His recent scores read 39 off 14, 31 off 18, 52 off 17, 175 off 80, 68 off 33, 30 off 22, and 52 off 30. Yashasvi Jaiswal had remained unbeaten on 77 off 32 and already registered 2 fifties this season.
Riyan Parag has led the team well as a skipper. Dhruv Jurel had supported well in the middle order, while Shimron Hetmyer had scored quickly at a strike rate of 146 last season. Jofra Archer had taken 3 wickets, Nandre Burger picked up 5, and Ravi Bishnoi led the spin attack with 7 wickets in 3 matches at an economy of 9.11.
Ravindra Jadeja had controlled runs, while Sandeep Sharma had provided breakthroughs despite being expensive at times.
Sooryavanshi, Jaiswal and Hetmyer are the key batters.
Predicted Lineup: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have started the IPL 2026 season dominantly, winning against SRH and CSK. They posted 250 for 3 against CSK and secured a 43-run win.
Virat Kohli had scored 97 runs in 2 matches, while Devdutt Padikkal had accumulated 111 runs with back-to-back fifties at a strike rate of 202. Philip Salt had supported well at the top, making the top order consistent.
Rajat Patidar had delivered in the middle overs with a strike rate of 254. Tim David had played a match-winning knock of 70* off 25 balls with 8 sixes. Romario Shepherd had maintained a strike rate close to 175 since 2025.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jacob Duffy have taken 9 wickets combined. Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma have handled the middle overs effectively.
Kohli, Padikkal and Patidar are the key batters.
Predicted Lineup: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy Impact subs: Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell
Rajasthan Royals will have a strong chance in this contest due to their explosive opening pair. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have been consistent and aggressive in the power play, and both have delivered quick starts in recent matches.
Their ability to attack early will put pressure on RCBโs bowlers. RCB also have a solid top order, but Rajasthanโs openers have shown better intent and higher scoring consistency so far this season.
If they bat first or chase, they are likely to build a bigger partnership in the opening overs. Rajasthan will stay competitive throughout, but its advantage at the top could play a key role in shaping the outcome of this match.
