As the Indian Premier League 2025 reaches its mid-phase, Match 28 brings a compelling face-off between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday, April 13. Both teams are navigating through turbulent campaigns and will view this clash as a potential turning point.
RCB Seek Revival Away from Chinnaswamy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have endured a rough run at their home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where they’ve suffered consecutive defeats this season. With those losses, they now hold the unwanted IPL record for the most losses at a single venue. While Dinesh Karthik recently called for better batting pitches, RCB’s true revival may rest on their performances away from Bengaluru — and that’s where they’ve impressed so far.
Victories in Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai have injected some life into their campaign, thanks to strong performances from their often-criticized middle order. The Jaipur pitch, historically slow and spin-friendly, may pose another challenge, but it also offers RCB a chance to regroup and bounce back against an equally inconsistent RR unit.
Royals’ Rollercoaster Ride Continues
Rajasthan Royals have had a patchy campaign too. After winning two on the trot, they suffered a demoralizing loss in their last game. However, their recent IPL history suggests a pattern of starting strong and losing momentum mid-season. In 2024, they won eight of their first nine matches but then lost four consecutive games before rain washed out their final league clash. A similar dip in 2023 makes their current form worth watching.
This game marks their first home match of the season in Jaipur, and with a revamped squad, the Royals will aim to make a strong impression. The venue hasn’t been a fortress in recent years, but RR will bank on local familiarity and fan support to tilt the balance.
What to Expect in Jaipur
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium has offered little assistance to pacers in recent seasons. It holds the worst average and strike rate for pace bowling in the last two editions. The pitch behavior this year remains uncertain, but a high-scoring contest could be on the cards with an average first innings score of 180. The weather forecast is hot and dry, with temperatures expected to touch 37°C.
Interestingly, the win-loss record at this ground is evenly balanced—teams batting first and chasing both have five wins each in the last 10 matches played here.
Head-to-Head Record
RCB narrowly lead the head-to-head count with 15 wins to RR’s 14. But history offers no guarantees—RR were bowled out for just 59 by RCB in Jaipur in 2023, their lowest score ever and the third-lowest in IPL history.
Team News & Tactics
Rajasthan Royals
There’s uncertainty over the availability of Wanindu Hasaranga, who missed the previous match due to personal reasons. If available, he could be pivotal against RCB’s six-hitting middle order. RR’s spin unit, including Hasaranga, Kartikeya, and Theekshana, will look to exploit RCB’s vulnerability on slower tracks.
Probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c/wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Hasaranga/Farooqi, Archer, Theekshana, Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, Kartikeya
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB have no injury concerns and a full squad to choose from. Their focus will be on addressing their bowling woes, especially in the middle overs. Suyash Sharma’s leg-spin has been effective in slowing run rates, and the pace trio of Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar, and Yash Dayal will be key on a surface that may not offer pace.
Probable XI: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone/Jacob Bethell, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma
Player to Watch
Jofra Archer has been RR’s most threatening bowler in the PowerPlay, but lack of support from the other end has hurt. He has claimed four wickets in this phase, while the rest have only two combined. For RCB, Sandeep Sharma has consistently troubled Kohli, dismissing him seven times and averaging just 14.86 against him.
Quotes
“I try to stay in the moment and do my best for the team. I don’t feel captaincy pressure when I bat. That clarity helps.” – Rajat Patidar on his captaincy approach.
With both teams desperate to claw their way back into playoff contention, Sunday’s game promises high stakes, individual battles, and tactical depth. RCB’s away form vs RR’s unpredictable momentum — which will prevail? Source cricbuzz
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