Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals enter the IPL eliminator with low confidence following a streak of poor performances. Their last game against Kolkata Knight Riders ended in shared points due to rain, adding to their woes after four consecutive losses. In this must-win contest, Samson is looking for a turnaround as they face a formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are riding high on momentum. Both teams will play against each other on May 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore is under pressure to fill Jos Buttler’s shoes and provide a strong start alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Samson himself aims to lead by example, forging crucial partnerships with Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel. The team will rely heavily on big hitters Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, and Ravichandran Ashwin to deliver impactful performances with the bat.
The Royals’ bowling unit will be under scrutiny, needing standout performances from Trent Boult and Nandre Burger with the new ball. Yuzvendra Chahal and Ashwin will play pivotal roles in the middle overs, while Sandeep Sharma and Avesh Khan are expected to provide solid support. With their season on the line, Rajasthan Royals must find their form quickly to overcome the challenge posed by the resurgent Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Faf du Plessis’ Royal Challengers Bangalore have defied all odds, delivering one of the most remarkable turnarounds in IPL history. Their latest triumph, a 27-run victory over Chennai Super Kings, propelled them past their rivals on the points table. This victory marked RCB’s sixth consecutive win, a stark contrast to their early season struggles where they managed just one win in their first eight games. Riding high on this momentum, skipper du Plessis is now focused on leading his team to the second Qualifier.
RCB’s explosive opening duo, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, are expected to set the tone once again, having consistently provided strong starts in recent matches. The middle order, featuring Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, and Dinesh Karthik, has shown impressive form, building crucial partnerships. With the addition of power hitters Glenn Maxwell and Mahipal Lomror, RCB’s batting lineup looks formidable.
On the bowling front, RCB will rely on impactful spells with the new ball from Mohammad Siraj and Glenn Maxwell, targeting the struggling top order of Rajasthan Royals. Yash Dayal, who delivered a match-winning final over against CSK, will be brimming with confidence. He will need to maintain tight lines during the middle overs, supported by Lockie Ferguson and Swapnil Singh. Cameron Green and Karn Sharma add further depth to a well-rounded bowling attack.
As they prepare to face Rajasthan Royals in the eliminator, RCB’s blend of form, firepower, and tactical prowess makes them a force to be reckoned with.
Head-to-head record
In the fierce head-to-head battle between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals, the former holds a slight advantage, having emerged victorious in 15 out of the 31 encounters played between the two sides. Despite Rajasthan’s formidable challenge, with 13 wins to their credit, RCB has managed to maintain a marginally superior record. Additionally, there have been two instances where matches concluded without a result and one match abandoned, further highlighting the intensity and unpredictability of their clashes on the cricket field.