IPL 2021: Match 43 - RR vs RCB: Preview, Playing XI, Pitch Report

Rajasthan will lock horns with Bangalore for the Match 43 of the Indian Premier League. After emerging victorious against Punjab in their first match of the UAE leg of the IPL, the former has lost two consecutive matches. In their previous game, skipper Sanju Samson stood firm for the side and played belligerent innings of 82. However, RR couldn’t defend the total of 164 against SRH and lost the game by seven wickets.

The Virat Kohli-led side has got back to the winning ways after losing their initial two games of the UAE leg of the IPL. RCB exuded great character to outplay the five-time champions Mumbai Indians and secure a victory by 54 runs. Harshal Patel registered his hattrick as RCB’s bowlers ran through MI’s strong batting lineup to restrict the side at just 111 runs.

This game will be important for Rajasthan to keep their hopes of making it into the play-offs alive. Bangalore on the other hand will aim to take the winning momentum further and strengthen their position in the points table.

Pitch Report:

Both the pacers and spinners might get some good help from this pitch of the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The long boundaries of this venue might not allow the batters to score quick runs.

Playing XI:

Rajasthan Royals

Liam Livingstone, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c), Evin Lewis, Mahipal Lomror, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Jaydev Unadkat, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Dan Christian, Srikar Bharat (wk), Shahbaz Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

Key Players:

Harshal Patel

The pacer has been the pick of bowlers for RCB in this season of the IPL. He is currently the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. In the previous match against Mumbai, he grabbed the limelight by registering a hattrick. In the tournament so far, Patel has scalped 23 wickets and will be determined to take the momentum further. His presence has solved the death bowling woes of RCB and the team will pin their hopes on him to perform well.

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson has been the one who has held the fort of Rajasthan Royals in crunch moments. In the tournament so far, he has chipped in 433 runs at a healthy average of 54.12. In the last game against Hyderabad, he scored 82 runs which included as many as seven fours and three sixes