It’s been a season of ironies and unexpected shifts at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. A ground once feared for its batting-friendly surfaces has morphed into a riddle wrapped in unpredictability. And Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by Rajat Patidar, are still trying to solve it—one lost toss at a time.
Patidar, visibly amused yet clearly frustrated after losing his third straight toss at home, offered a wry smile and a candid confession: “I want to win a toss there.” That remark, made in the comfort of Mullanpur after RCB’s fifth consecutive away win, reveals the underlying tension that home conditions now bring for the team.
Chinnaswamy No Longer a Batter’s Paradise
Forget the 200+ totals that once peppered the Chinnaswamy highlights reel. This year, the pitches have rewarded restraint and punished flashy strokes. Cross-batted swipes have become liability shots, and ‘par score’ has turned into a guessing game. For RCB, being forced to bat first on uncertain tracks has led to miscalculated aggression and early collapses.
No one has felt the shift more than Virat Kohli.
At the post-match presentation in Mullanpur, the former India captain hinted at a subtle shift in his role. “I can accelerate, but I want to understand the strengths of other players. Holding one end up at the moment, that’s working for us.” In essence, Kohli’s return to the anchor role is less about personal style and more about tactical necessity.
Royals’ Campaign on the Brink
Their next opponents, Rajasthan Royals, bring with them a different set of worries. Four consecutive losses, two of them choked in the final over, have thrown their campaign into a tailspin. Their balance looks fragile. Captain Sanju Samson’s absence due to a side injury only compounds the issue.
Yet amidst the gloom, a 14-year-old spark has lit up the Royals’ dugout. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the youngest debutant in the IPL’s history, played without baggage or hesitation. That’s exactly what RR need right now—fearless cricket, unshackled by overthinking.
Contrasting Approaches for a Tricky Surface
The numbers are telling. Chinnaswamy has seen 15 PowerPlay wickets in just three games—the most among all venues in IPL 2025. The scoring rate in the first six overs? A mere 7.27—the lowest this season.
Despite that, Rajasthan have excelled in this phase. They’ve lost the fewest wickets (7), boast an average nearing 70, and score at over 10 runs per over in the PowerPlay—second only to Punjab Kings. If the pitch offers any room, this is where the Royals will look to dominate.
RCB, meanwhile, will rely on pragmatism. Their lineup is stacked with experience—Salt, Kohli, Padikkal, and Patidar, with finishing muscle in Tim David and Romario Shepherd. However, Kohli remains the glue. And against Sandeep Sharma, who’s dismissed him seven times in T20s, his patience may be tested early.
Team News and Tactical Notes
RCB are injury-free. Their strategy will likely focus on neutralizing Jofra Archer in the PowerPlay—he’s been a lone wolf in RR’s attack, picking up six wickets at an economy under eight. The rest? Just two wickets combined, bleeding at 9.10.
RR, sans Samson, will again turn to Riyan Parag for leadership. They may toy with the idea of fielding Kwena Maphaka over a spinner, considering the left-arm pace option against a predominantly right-handed batting lineup.
Probable XIs:
RCB: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
RR: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag (c), Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Wandindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana/Kwena Maphaka, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Shubham Dubey
Numbers Game:
- RCB have lost each of their last four night games against RR. But interestingly, they’ve won the last five day games in this rivalry.
- Shimron Hetmyer, a marquee retention for RR, has mustered only 115 runs in eight innings—raising questions about his role as a finisher.
- Kohli vs Sandeep Sharma is a mini-battle worth watching. In Jaipur, Kohli was nearly dismissed first ball by Sandeep—dropped at slip. Sharma’s record against him speaks volumes.
RCB vs RR Live Streaming & Broadcast Info
RCB vs RR Live Telecast: Star Sports Network (Select channels with Hindi, English, regional language options)
RCB vs RR Live Streaming: JioCinema (free in India across all languages and devices)
