RCB vs RR is among the most exciting matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. Both franchises met thrice last year, with Rajasthan Royals (RR) winning two fixtures. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be hoping to make the maximum out of the home advantage. The match will be held on Sunday afternoon, beginning at 3:30 PM.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB faithful will be hoping that experienced players Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and Glenn Maxwell will fire on all cylinders. The RCB skipper and the Aussie big hitter made half-centuries the last time RCB played at Chinnaswamy Stadium. However, the rest of the batting unit failed to provide proper support, and the franchise succumbed to a narrow defeat at the hands of Chennai Super Kings.
Wanindu Hasaranga’s arrival has boosted the RCB bowling attack. However, the Sri Lankan is yet to hit the right notes. Mohammed Siraj has been the lone consistent performer, with the pacer picking up eight wickets at an economy of seven. Harshal Patel has six wickets but has leaked plenty of runs. Overseas fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who has joined the squad, is unlikely to feature.
Rajasthan Royals
RR tasted a surprise defeat at the hands of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their last game. Though Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler gave a solid start, seasoned T20 campaigners Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer failed to steer the Royals home. Buttler has struck a century – 106* off 60 balls – in RR’s last meeting against RCB.
The bowling attack doesn’t have concerns, as Trent Boult and Ravichandran Ashwin were excellent in the defeat against LSG. Boult conceded just 16 runs in four overs, while Ashwin claimed the wickets of Deepak Hooda and Kyle Mayers. However, Yuzvendra Chahal and Jason Holder conceded 79 runs between them in eight overs.
RCB vs RR Head-to-Head Stats
RCB vs RR fixtures have been fiercely contested over the years, as the Bengaluru-based outfit has grabbed 13 wins. Sanju Samson’s RR emerged victorious 12 times.
RCB vs RR – Last 5 Meetings
RCB & RR IPL 2023 Stats
- Top Run-scorer: Faf du Plessis – 343 runs (RCB); Jos Buttler – 244 runs (RR)
- Most Wickets: Mohammed Siraj – 12 wickets (RCB); Yuzvendra Chahal – 11 wickets (RR)
- Most Sixes: Faf du Plessis – 24 sixes (RCB); Shimron Hetmyer – 15 sixes (RR)
Stats as on April 20, 2023
RCB vs RR – Who Will Win?
When it comes to predictions, it is difficult to say which team will come out on top. RCB will have the advantage of playing on their home ground, which could give them an edge. However, RR would be keen to bounce back and could clinch the maximum points in Sunday’s opening fixture.