The bottom dwellers Rajasthan Royals will once lock horns with the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. The thrilling encounter will mark the 33rd match of the Indian Premier League 2020 and will be the first match of the double-header Saturday. The second encounter will feature the three times champions Chennai Super kings take on table toppers Delhi Capitals.
The previous encounter between the RR and RCB saw Steven Smith win the toss and elected to bat first. The Royals were reduced to 70 for the loss of 4 wickets in the 10 overs. But the resistance of Lomror and star all-rounders Rahul Tewatia and Jofra Archer ensured the RR reached a decent total of 154. The score was below par though and the Bangalore team made easy work of it with the help of half-centuries from Devdutt Padikkal and their captain Virat Kohli. The partnership stand of 99 between the pair meant that the Challengers went on to win the game by 8 wickets with 5 balls to spare.
Though a lot has changed since that encounter as RCB were on the winning side on more than two occasions. While the RR have been struggling to get going and are placed 7th in the points table with just three 3 wins in their 8 matches.
While both the teams will come into this match on back of losses. RCB lost their encounter against KXIP after the veteran West Indian Chris Gayle announced his arrival with a swashbuckling fifty. While, RR had a close encounter with the Delhi Capitals, which they ended up on the losing side by 13 runs.
Can RCB win this match and make it to the top two of the points table? Or will Rajasthan Royals win the match and wide open the points table?
Match Toss Time: 13:30 Local (15:00 IST)
Match Start Time: 14:00 Local (15:30 IST)
Match Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Weather Report
The conditions are ideal for the sport as clear skies are reported throughout the day. The temperatures and humidity have been on the lower side as the peak summer in the country is coming to an end. The temperature is expected to be hovering in the 28-31 degree range. While the humidity is expected to reach the mark of 56% around the second innings.
Pitch
All the three pitches have been slowing down as the Indian Premier League 2020 has already seen more than 30 matches. The pitch in Dubai though has been more friendly to the batsmen with the occasional odd bounce and spin favoring the slow bowlers. As seen in the last few matches any score of 170 by the team batting first seems to put the team chasing in trouble.
With the match scheduled to take place in the afternoon. The due will have no role to play whatsoever.
Team News
Rajasthan Royals will feel unfortunate as they could not get past the Delhi Capitals. The Royals did a wonderful job to restrict the table toppers to 161 runs. But once the batting woes of the RR top order continued. Eventually ending up on the losing side by 13 runs.
With Robin Uthappa finding some form in the game against the Delhi team. The management will be hoping the right-hander can continue his good touch. Given, the RR had a close finish and with almost everything looking well set, they are likely to feature the same Xl that played against the DC.
RCB on the other side have been doing a wonderful job this season so far. With few tactical errors that cost RCB the game like sending AB de Villiers much later during their innings and not using Washington Sundar in the powerplay. The team looks well settled and the only change the management may bring about might be the replacement of Mohammad Siraj with Pawan Negi.
Probable Playing Xl
Rajasthan Royals (RR): Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Smith (c), Sanju Samson, Robin Uthappa, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Kartik Tyagi
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Isuru Udana, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj/Pawan Negi, Yuzvendra Chahal
RR vs RCB Fantasy Team
AB de Villiers(wk), Jos Butler, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Riyan Parag, Chris Morris, Washington Sundar, Ben Stokes, Navdeep Saini, Jofra Archer, Karthik Tyagi
Captain Picks: Virat Kohli (RCB), Jos Butler (RR)
Vice- Captain: Jofra Archer (RR), AB de Villiers (RCB)
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