IPL 2020: Match 15, RCB vs RR – RR Predicted Playing XI

Rajasthan Royals started their campaign with two consecutive victories before losing their third game against KKR. RR were flying high with their top order being in amazing form but the over-dependency on the top three batsmen was magnified by tremendous pace bowling from KKR. In the absence of Ben Stokes, their middle-order looks extremely vague and it is a matter of concern now.

On the bowling front as well, Shreyas Gopal’s form and one-dimensional attack are troubling the Royals. Eoin Morgan exploited the fact that RR doesn’t have any off-spinner.

Interestingly, the side which was on the top of the points table has suddenly experienced so many troubles in their team combination with a single defeat and Steve Smith has to pull some trick out of his bag to take his team back to the winning track in the RCB vs RR encounter.

Here’s the Predicted Playing XI for Rajasthan Royals for RCB vs RR game:

Openers (Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal)

Jos Buttler has now played two games for RR this season without any big knock. He has looked out of touch and his role is extremely important at the top, considering the dangerous batsman he is.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to come back into the side after the dismal form of the middle order, he should replace Robin Uthappa against RCB. Steve Smith, the skipper and the makeshift opener should go down in that case and the teenage southpaw should open.

Middle-order (Steve Smith, Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag)

Captain Steve Smith played two excellent innings in the first two games. However, while chasing for the first time in the tournament, he didn’t have an ideal outing. He is expected to come down the order to his previous position of number 3 and that should also provide greater depth to Rajasthan’s batting order.

Sanju Samson, the Player of the Match of the first two games, didn’t play as per the expectations in the third one. However, he should be expected to continue the excellent form in the upcoming games. Riyan Parag the young batsman is not having an ideal tournament this year in the middle east. However, he should get another chance to prove his mettle at this level.

All-rounders (Rahul Tewatia and Tom Curran)

After a dream match against KXIP, Rahul Tewatia is a household name in India. His role is quite important for RR as he provides four useful overs apart from his ability to hit massive sixes down the order. Tom Curran should also use his retain his place after a decent outing against KKR with both bat and ball.

Bowlers (Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadlat and Ankit Rajpoot)

Rajasthan is expected to continue with the same bowling attack for another game. With four pacers and two spinners, they have enough options and variety in their artillery. All eyes will be on Jofra Archer to perform as brilliantly as he did in the last game and pick up crucial wickets. It is an important game for Unadkat as well as he will be looking to bowl as per the expectations being a senior pacer.

Shreyas Gopal hasn’t been in great form this season and he will look to revive his fortune and change his figures in the tournament. Ankit Rajpoot has been economical in his two excursions but it will be interesting to see how he performs against the likes of Kohli and de Villiers.