IPL 2021, Match 16: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Vs Rajasthan Royals (RR)- Toss Report

The caravan of the Vivo IPL 2021 rolls on and the 16th match will see Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore lock horns with Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Both sides are coming off contrasting fortunes following their first three games in IPL 2021. While Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore have asserted themselves at the top of the table, Rajasthan Royals have lost two of their first three games with familiar issues plaguing their campaign.

Both sides have locked horns 23 times in the IPL and have won 10 apiece. RCB, although, won each of their last two fixtures against RR.

 

IPL 2021, Match 16: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Vs Rajasthan Royals (RR)- Toss Report

Virat Kohli has won the toss and, on expected terms, he has opted to field first. The Royal Challengers Bangalore have made one change to their playing 11 with Kane Richardson coming in for Rajat Patidar.

Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, have also made one change to their playing 11 with Shreyas Gopal replacing Jaydev Unadkat.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Virat Kohli [C], Devdutt Padikkal, Shahbaz Ahmed, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers [WK], Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Kane Richardson, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Manan Vohra, Jos Buttler [WK], Sanju Samson [C], Shivam Dube, David Miller, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Shreyas Gopal, Chetan Shakariya, Mustafizur Rahman

 

 

Royal Challengers will look to make it 4 in a row when they face Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai on Thursday

After making it three out of three in Chennai, the caravan of the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore’s IPL 2021 campaign moves to the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai where they will lock horns with the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore have got pretty much everything spot on with their tactics in the tournament thus far. Their ploy of batting Glenn Maxwell at No.4 has worked wonders with the enigmatic Australian all-rounder finally turning up with match-winning performances. Maxwell is coming off consecutive match-winning half-centuries and with the pitch at Wankhede quite suited to his style of play, RCB will hope that the swashbuckler continues his imperious form.

Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal struggled in Chennai but with conditions in Mumbai ideal for batting, the duo will look to get their team off to a good start and provide a platform for the likes of Maxi and ABD.

More than their batting, it’s their death bowling that was really impressive in Chennai. Harshal Patel is relishing in his role as a death over specialist while Mohammed Siraj has shown remarkable improvement. But the duo will be put under stern test on placid Mumbai tracks.

Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, have had a pretty disappointing start to their IPL 2021 campaign. Some of the personnel have changed but their fortunes haven’t changed. They continue to struggle at the death despite having specialists like Chris Morris and Mustafizur Rahman apart from losing early wickets in the powerplay.

Sanju Samson, just like the past seasons, has blown hot and cold, while Jos Buttler has failed to convert his starts into a big knock. The middle-order is inexperienced and the onus will once again be on David Miller to spearhead it.

The Royals lost both their encounters against the Royal Challengers Bangalore last season and they will be hoping to make amends this year.