IPL 2021 preview: RCB looks to keep the winning momentum going against an unstable RR
The 2021 Indian Premier League is the 14th edition of the profitable Twenty 20 league, which is being held in India. Royal Challengers Bangalore is yet to win the IPL title to date. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals won the title once, way back in 2008.
FollowThe Indian Premier League 2021 is getting better and intense with each passing game. In Match 16, Royal Challengers Bangalore would take on former champion Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.
While RCB continues to look for the fortune-changing season that would hand it its maiden IPL title, RR is enduring a similarly long wait since winning the title way back in 2008. As both sides have had a contrasting start this season, it could still go either way in this clash, as we present the preview of the same.
Current form
As for the recent performance, RCB seems unstoppable, having won all the three matches it has played so far, thus staying atop the table. Meanwhile, RR, too, has played three games, winning just one so far, as it would be desperate to add more wins in its bag.
Team combination
RCB has a batting-heavy squad, 15-13, to be precise. However, with enough capped recruits in the bowling than its batting, it makes the side evenly balanced. Also, with the game in Wankhede, it would look to move in with a balanced XI.
Meanwhile, RR has the opposite of RCB, with more enforcements in the bowling, 16-12, even considering the capped talents. Thus, it has an exposed batting line-up that could be vulnerable, while its bowling could rip apart RCB's rigid batting order.
Injury concerns
There is no injury concern for RCB. However, RR is without all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has been ruled out due to a broken finger, while Liam Livingstone has pulled out, citing bubble fatigue.
Head-to-head
Of the 23 matches between the two so far, both have won ten each. In the 18 games in India, RR leads 8-7, while it would be their maiden clash in Mumbai.
Weather and pitch report
The weather in Mumbai is expected to be hot, with a temperature of 33 degrees and 63% humidity. The track is expected to be sporty, with equal assistance for the batsmen and the bowlers, while the seamers are expected to come in handy later. Also, with the dew factor coming into play, the side winning the toss would bowl first.
Probable XI
RCB: Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Dan Christian, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal and Mohammad Siraj.
RR: Jos Buttler, Manan Vohra, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Shivam Dube, David Miller, Riyan Parag, Chris Morris, Rahul Tewatia, Jaydev Unadkat, Chetan Sakariya and Mustafizur Rahman.
Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Kohli, Miller, Parag- Kohli is sure to give the perfect start, while Parag would consolidate in the middle. As for Miller, he would be the proper finisher.
Wicketkeepers: De Villiers, Samson- De Villiers is a no-brainer here, while Samson is expected to the right opening partner for Kohli, owing to his decent form of late.
All-rounders: Maxwell (vc), Morris- Maxwell is again a must-have here, owing to his lethal form with the bat, making him the deputy skipper, while Morris is sure to come in handy with his pace and can contribute with the bat if needed.
Bowlers: Unadkat, Harshal (c), Jamieson, Sakariya- All the four are sure to deliver in an all-out pace attack, while Harshal consistent form makes him the skipper.
Match details
Date and day: April 22, 2021 (Thursday)
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Time: 7.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar
