RR vs RCB: Match Overview
The 28th match of IPL 2025 will be played between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Sawai Mansingh Stadium (SMS), Jaipur. The match is scheduled for a 3:30 PM start and will mark the 300th T20 match for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, adding a special touch to the clash.
Pitch Report – SMS Stadium, Jaipur
The pitch at Sawai Mansingh Stadium is known to be batting-friendly but offers some assistance to pacers, especially in the first innings.
Last season’s wickets:
- Pacers: 32 wickets
- Spinners: 14 wickets
- Total wickets: 46 in 5 matches
Chasing Trend:
- Teams have successfully chased targets like 179, 183, 185, and even 196
- Batting second seems slightly easier under the Jaipur heat
Dimensions:
- Front: 63m, 68m
- Side: 76m, 78m
Batting strike rate here was 149, with 9 fifties scored in the last season. Bowlers had a poor strike rate of 25.6, indicating tough conditions for them.
Weather Report
- Temperature: Around 37°C
- Conditions: Hot and dry
- Dew Factor: Minimal due to heat
Head-to-Head Record
- Total Matches: 32
- RR Won: 14
- RCB Won: 15
- At Jaipur:
- RR: 3 Wins
- RCB: 4 Wins
Team Form & Strengths
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Top Order Strength:
- Scored most runs in Powerplay this season
- Strike rate: 171, Avg: 44
Middle Overs Weakness:
- Lost 18 wickets (most among all teams), Avg: 20, SR: 135
Death Overs:
- 13 wickets lost, Avg: 17, SR: 149
Key Players:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – 148 runs in 7 matches (no big innings yet)
- Sanju Samson – Strong home record (850 runs in 32 matches)
- Riyan Parag – In good touch
- Shimron Hetmyer – 215 runs in 10 matches, known finisher
- Jofra Archer – 12 wickets in 11 matches vs RCB
- Sandeep Sharma – 27 wickets vs RCB in 19 matches
Predicted Playing XI – RR
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sanju Samson (C & WK)
- Riyan Parag
- Nitish Rana
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Shubham Dubey / Kumar Karthikeya (Impact)
- Wanindu Hasaranga (subject to availability)
- Tushar Deshpande
- Jofra Archer
- Sandeep Sharma
- Maheesh Theekshana
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Powerplay Performance:
- Strike Rate: 163, Avg: 47, Lost 5 wickets in 5 matches
Middle Overs Stability:
- Lost only 10 wickets in 4 matches
Death Overs:
- 10 wickets lost in 4 matches, slightly better than RR
Key Players:
- Virat Kohli – 113 in his last innings at SMS, 448 runs vs RR
- Devdutt Padikkal – 221 runs in 5 matches vs RR, 101* is highest
- Rajat Patidar – Consistent in the middle
- Liam Livingstone – X-factor player
- Josh Hazlewood – Key pacer
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Milestone match (300th T20 game)
- Yash Dayal – Young death-over option
Predicted Playing XI – RCB
- Virat Kohli
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Rajat Patidar
- Liam Livingstone
- David Willey / Jeet Dey
- Kunal Pandya
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
- Rasikh Salam / Suya Sharma
- Impact: Akash Deep / Manoj Bhandage
Player Match-Ups & Stats
- Sandeep Sharma vs Virat Kohli: 27 wickets vs RCB, proven record
- Jofra Archer at SMS: 12 wickets in 11 matches, home comfort
- Hetmyer: Consistent finisher at Jaipur
- Virat Kohli: 113* in his last game at this venue
- Padikkal: Century vs RR in the past
Final Match Prediction
Toss Prediction
- Winner of Toss: Likely to bowl first due to chasing advantage
Match Winner Prediction
Rajasthan Royals look slightly ahead due to:
- Strong home record
- In-form batting line-up
- Archer and Sandeep’s bowling experience at this venue
However, RCB can turn the game if their top order fires, especially Virat Kohli and Padikkal.
Prediction: Rajasthan Royals to win in a close contest
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