IPL 2025 Match 28: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Live Updates and Analysis
April 13, 2025
Match Overview
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur is set to host a high-stakes clash between the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Match 28 of IPL 2025. Both teams are looking to rebound from recent defeats, with RR languishing in seventh place (two wins in five matches) and RCB sitting fourth (three wins in five games) 13. The match carries significant implications for the mid-table standings, as a win for RCB would solidify their top-four position, while RR aim to climb out of the lower half .
Toss and Team News
RCB Opt to Bowl First
RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and elected to field, citing the pitch’s potential to ease under lights. The decision aligns with the venue’s historical trend, where chasing teams have won 37 out of 57 IPL matches 39. RCB retained their unchanged XI, showcasing confidence in their core lineup despite a recent loss to Delhi Capitals 23.
RCB Playing XI:
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma
Impact Subs: Devdutt Padikkal, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh
RR Welcome Back Hasaranga
RR skipper Sanju Samson expressed no hesitation in batting first, banking on local support and the return of Sri Lankan leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who replaced Fazalhaq Farooqi. Hasaranga’s inclusion adds firepower to RR’s middle-overs bowling, given his six wickets in three matches this season .
RR Playing XI:
Sanju Samson (c/wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma
Impact Subs: Kumar Kartikeya, Yudhvir Singh, Shubham Dubey, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kunal Rathore
Pitch and Conditions
Batting-Friendly Surface with Spin Twist
The pitch at Jaipur is described as a “good batting deck” with cracks covered by dead grass. While early conditions favor strokeplay, spinners are expected to play a pivotal role in the second innings. The square boundaries measure 62m and 69m, with the straight hit at 74m, encouraging calculated aggression .
Weather
Sunny skies and high temperatures (around 38°C) may test players’ endurance, though dew is unlikely to influence the game under day-night conditions 5.
Key Players to Watch
Rajasthan Royals
- Jofra Archer: The express pacer has rediscovered his rhythm, taking five wickets in his last three matches at an economy of 6.0. His duel with RCB’s openers, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, could define the Powerplay 19.
- Sanju Samson: The RR captain boasts a stellar home record, averaging 136 at a strike rate of 156 in Jaipur since IPL 2024. His leadership and anchoring role will be critical .
- Wanindu Hasaranga: His middle-over wizardry (6 wickets in 3 matches) adds depth to RR’s attack, particularly against RCB’s power-hitters like Tim David .
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Virat Kohli: The former RCB captain is 15 runs shy of equaling David Warner’s IPL record of 66 fifty-plus scores. Despite a modest average of 30.6 against RR, his recent form (two fifties in IPL 2025) makes him a threat 13.
- Rajat Patidar: The RCB skipper is 15 runs away from 1,000 IPL runs and has been their top scorer (187 runs in five matches). His aggressive captaincy and batting could tilt the balance .
- Phil Salt: The explosive opener has shown glimpses of brilliance, including a 17-ball 37 in the last match. His ability to dominate Powerplays could neutralize Archer’s threat .
Head-to-Head and Venue Stats
- Overall: RCB lead 15-14 in 32 encounters, with three no-results 9.
- In Jaipur: RR hold a 5-4 edge at this venue, but RCB famously chased down 217 here in 2023 34.
- Recent Form:
- RR: L, L, W, W, L (last five matches)
- RCB: W, W, L, W, L 3
Tactical Insights
RR’s Batting Concerns
RR’s reliance on their Indian core (Jaiswal, Parag, Samson) has been inconsistent. The absence of Jos Buttler, released ahead of IPL 2025, looms large, with Shimron Hetmyer yet to replicate his finishing prowess 47. Promoting Hetmyer to No. 4, as suggested by fans, could inject momentum .
RCB’s Away Dominance
RCB’s three wins this season have all come away from home, with their batters averaging 39.6 on the road compared to 22.1 at home. Their aggressive approach (10.5 runs per over in away games) suits chasing .
Spin Battle
With Hasaranga, Theekshana, and Suyash Sharma in play, the middle overs (7–16) will be decisive. RCB’s Liam Livingstone (154 strike rate) and Tim David (169.72 strike rate) must counter RR’s spinners .
Match Prediction
Scenario 1: RR Bat First
- Powerplay Score: 50–60 (due to Hazlewood and Bhuvi’s swing)
- RR Total: 160–180 (Hasaranga/Theekshana contribute 20–30)
- RCB Chase: Kohli and Salt target Archer in PP; Patidar anchors middle overs.
- Verdict: RCB win by 4–5 wickets .
Scenario 2: RCB Bat First
- Powerplay Score: 60–70 (Salt’s aggression vs Archer’s pace)
- RCB Total: 170–190 (David/Livingstone accelerate death overs)
- RR Chase: Samson’s form key; RCB spinners strangle middle order.
- Verdict: RCB win by 10–15 runs .
Conclusion
This clash pits RCB’s road warriors against RR’s homecoming hopefuls. With both teams boasting match-winners but grappling with inconsistencies, the toss and Powerplay performances will be pivotal. RCB’s chasing pedigree and RR’s spin-heavy attack set the stage for a thriller, but RCB’s balanced lineup and recent away form give them a slight edge.
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