IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals’ strongest predicted XI against Royal Challengers Bengaluru

The Rajasthan Royals (RR) square off against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in what promises to be a mouth-watering contest at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Friday, April 10. The Royals are walking into this game on the back of three consecutive victories. Riyan Parag and Co. will be oozing with confidence, especially after a 27-run win in an 11-over-per-side contest against Mumbai Indians in the last game. They will also know the conditions well, having already played two games at the venue. On the other hand, the Royal Challengers have also started the season from where they left off in IPL 2025. The defending champions have registered back-to-back wins against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings. A win on Friday will take them to the top of the table, displacing the Royals. Here's RR's predicted playing XI for Match 16 versus RCB Top-order: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (WK) Vaibhav-Suryavanshi. (Photo source: IPL) The opening combination of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been wreaking havoc in the ongoing IPL. RCB bowlers will want to see them back of them as early as possible. Dhruv Jurel has been given the No. 3 slot and he has done well, scoring 95 runs at a strike rate of 175.93. Middle-order: Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira Shimron Hetmyer Source: Aninews Shimron Hetmyer has had a couple of hits this season. He hasn't done anything special but he enters the tournament on the back of great form and will be waiting for an opportunity where he can take a bit of time and then go berserk. Donovan Ferreira is another explosive batter in the RR lineup who is waiting for a chance to showcase his exemplary ball-striking skills in the 10-team league. All-rounders: Riyan Parag (C), and Ravindra Jadeja Riyan Parag. (Photo Source: Jio Hotstar) Riyan Parag has not had a dream start to the season with the bat but he has certainly led his team well. Ravindra Jadeja has didn't get to bat or bowl in the last game but he bowled brilliantly in the first game against the Chennai Super Kings. He will have a key role to play against the Royal Challengers with his years of experience bowling against some of their premier batters. Bowlers: Nandre Burger, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma Jofra Archer. (Source:IPL ) The new-ball pair of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger have bowled with a lot of energy and given a tough time to the opposition batters in the power play and also at the death. Tushar Deshpande will be high on confidence after successfully defending 11 runs in the final over in the game against Gujarat Titans. In the last game against Mumbai, he proved to be expensive but took the wicket of the in-form Sherfane Rutherford. Sandeep Sharma has used his experience to good effect, especially in the last game, where he took the important wicket of Rohit Sharma with the new ball and came back later to dismiss Shardul Thakur. Rajasthan Royals Predicted Playing XI vs Mumbai Indians: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag (C), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma Impact Player: Ravi Bishnoi