Asianet NewsableAsianet Newsable

IPL 2020, Match 15 preview: RCB vs RR- Team analysis, along with Fantasy XI

Both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals are off a mixed start to the Indian Premier League this season. Both teams have won a couple and a lost a match in their three games so far. While RCB are placed fifth, for now, RR are placed fourth.

IPL 2020, Match 15 preview: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals- Team analysis, along with Fantasy XI-ayh
Author
Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates, First Published Oct 2, 2020, 3:46 PM IST

As we get deeper into the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season, Match 15 is scheduled to be held between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). It would take place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Both the teams are off to a mixed start to the tournament and have had a bit of similar luck so far. Both have played three games and have won a couple of games each, besides losing one. As both the teams look to rise in the top half of the table, we present the match preview, along with the ideal Fantasy XI.

Team composition
There is quite a difference between the squad of both sides. While RCB are a bowling-heavy side, RR are relatively balanced in all departments. As of now, both teams look equally competitive.

Current form
Looking at the current form, both the sides have had similar luck. While RCB are coming off a win against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI), RR suffered a tough fate against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Nonetheless, it would all be a fresh start in this tie.

Head-to-head
Both the teams have met each other on 21 occasions, with RR having the upper hand, as they have won on 10 occasions, while RCB have won eight. Three of their matches have ended in no result/abandoned. The teams have met once in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with RR winning the tie.

Follow all the updates on IPL 2020 here

Weather and pitch report
The temperature in Abu Dhabi would be around 35 degrees, with humidity around 59%. As for the pitch, it is to stay on the slower side. Although the team winning the toss should ideally field first, it won't be a surprise if the captain chooses otherwise. In fact, the teams chasing have not had a fair share of success, so far, this season.

Predicted XI
RCB:
Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Isuru Udana, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal, Adam Zampa.
RR: Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Smith (c), Sanju Samson, Robin Uthappa, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Tom Curran, Shreyas Gopal, Ankit Rajpoot, Jaydev Unadkat.

Fantasy XI
Batsmen:
Smith (vc), Finch and Padikkal- All the three men can bat as openers. While Smith and Padikkal are ideal to perform, Finch can take the spot in the middle-order. Smith qualifies as the vice-captain.
Wicketkeepers: Samson and de Villiers (c)- Although Samson was explosive in the initial few games at Sharjah, this game being in Abu Dhabi is likely to restrict his hittings, but not entirely. Meanwhile, de Villiers is a no-brainer here, as he is our captain.
All-rounders: Tewatia, Sundar and Dube- Tewatia can act as a finisher, and so can Sundar, who can also be highly effective with his spin. As for Dube, he is ideally expected to perform with his pace bowling.
Bowlers: Curran, Archer and Chahal- While Curran and Archer are certain to dominate with pace, Chahal can spin the game apart on any given track.

Players to watch out
Kohli: The skipper has not had the best of the tournament, having scored just 18 runs in three matches. However, he is likely to get better as the tournament progresses, as all eyes would once again be upon him.
Smith: The Australian skipper and opener has been in fine form from the start, being RR's go-to man this season. Having already struck a couple of half-centuries, RR would once again rely on his services.
Tewatia: The all-rounder raised eyebrows with some fine hitting against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). However, whether he would be able to replicate the same performance with the bat in Abu Dhabi, or make an impact with the spin, remains to be seen.
Chahal: The India international has been on a roll in the spin department for the side. No wonder why Kohli would once again rely on his spin against RR, especially on a slower Abu Dhabi track.

Follow Us:
Download App:
  • android
  • ios