RR vs RCB Qualifier 2: Head to Head, Playing XI, Preview, Where to Watch on TV, Online, and Live Streaming Details

The Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated the Lucknow Super Giants to seal their date with the Rajasthan Royals in the Qualifier 2, the penultimate game of the IPL 2022. While RR had ended in the top two of the points table to enter the playoff stage, they faced a heart-breaking defeat earlier against the Gujarat Titans in the Qualifier 1.

RR did not look charged up as a unit when they met GT at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. While the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to surprise, Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson sailed the ship forward. Samson showcased a brilliant performance and notched up quick runs before being dismissed. Though Buttler took time to gear up, he put up a great batting display towards the end of the innings.

RR bowlers did a tremendous job by scalping the GT top-order batters, but they could not stop their middle-order from hitting the shots. It was skipper Hardik Pandya’s composure and David Miller’s power-hitting prowess that helped the side to win the game in the final over. Not much was possible towards the end as the duo had the game in their hands, and sealed the victory to enter the finals in their first-ever IPL outing.

RCB, on the other hand, started slowly in their game against LSG, but Rajat Patidar carried the game on his shoulders and scored an unbeaten 112* in 54 deliveries to take the team’s total to 207/4 as he and Dinesh Karthik stitched up a brilliant partnership.

LSG batters left no page unturned when they started the chase but RCB bowlers fought back stronger and defended the total brilliantly. While RR lost their previous game, RCB has a winning momentum and high spirit from their glorious victories in their previous two games.

While RCB will be continuing to keep the momentum alive, they will also work harder on those aspects that cause trouble against LSG. The openers will have to put up their A-Game to get close to their dream IPL trophy. RCB has a stable middle-order line-up, but consistency will be the key for the players.

As for RR, the bowlers will have to work their charm to keep up in the game. The bowling unit failed to perform against GT and allowed them to score ample runs during the chase. While the top-order batters are dependable, the middle-order will have to work hard to strengthen the team’s innings and help put a big total.

Pitch and conditions

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is expected to create a level playing field for both batters and bowlers. The captain who wins the toss may prefer to chase to have a better sense of the pitch and circumstances. The venue has hosted 17 T20s so far, and the average first innings score is 162.

Playing combinations for RR vs RCB

Rajasthan Royals

Jos Buttler regained his form in the previous game and will have to maintain consistency. Shimron Hetmyer will be expected to play the finisher’s role in the much-needed win. While Boult, Ashwin, and Chahal will put their experience into play, Prasidh Krishna and Obed McCoy will have to work hard on their economy.

Predicted Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Obed McCoy.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB’s top-order needs to take charge of the game, with the middle order balancing it out towards the end. In the bowling department, Siraj will be expected to do much more than usual by not giving away runs.

Predicted Playing XI: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammed Siraj.

RR vs RCB head-to-head

Played – 27 | RR – 11 | RCB – 13 | NR -3

RR vs RCB Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 07:30 PM IST

TV – Star Sports Network

Live Streaming – Disney+Hotstar