IPL 2024 – Eliminator: RR vs RCB Match Preview, Playing XI, Players to Watch, Key Stats
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won six consecutive matches.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will meet in the Eliminator of IPL 2024 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 22, Wednesday.
Rajasthan Royals had 8 wins from their first 9 matches, but now they still stand at the same number of wins after 14 matches. They lost 4 consecutive matches ahead of the playoffs, and their last match against KKR was abandoned due to rain.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru had won just 1 match out of their first 8 matches and then went on to win 6 consecutive matches, qualifying for the playoffs by beating CSK in their last match. They had to beat them by 18 runs to qualify, and they beat them by 27 runs.
Match Details:
- Date: 22 May 2024
- Time: 7:30 PM (IST)
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Shimron Hetmyer is likely to return for RR, which will be a huge boost for them. They were playing Powell in his absence, but Powell failed to recreate the magic of Hetmyer. RR will also need Yashasvi Jaiswal to step up with the bat, and they will need early wickets from Boult.
RCB is high on confidence after winning 6 consecutive games. They will look to play the same brand of cricket they have played in the second half. RCB brought back Glenn Maxwell in the last match, and he showed glimpses of his form. In this match, he can be expected to bat at 5 after Rajat and Green.
RR vs RCB Probable Playing XI:
RR Probable Playing XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sanju Samson (C & WK), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Avesh Khan, Nandre Burger
Impact Player – Rovman Powell/Shubham Dubey
RCB Probable Playing XI:
Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Karn Sharma, Yash Dayal, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj
Impact Player – Swapnil Singh/Suyash Prabhudesai
Key Batters to Watch for RR vs RCB:
Virat Kohli:
A knockout match means once again all the eyes will be on Virat Kohli and RCB’s hopes too, because over the years Kohli has performed in most of the T20 knockout matches. RCB will be hopeful of a great show from Virat again. The last time he faced RR, he scored a century.
Sanju Samson:
RR is coming here with a 4-match losing streak, and their batting has failed in all 4 matches. It’s a do-or-die match for RR, and they will need their skipper to step up with the bat in this match. Sanju Samson is having his best IPL season, having scored 504 runs in 13 innings at an average of 56 and a strike rate of 156.
Key Bowlers to Watch for RR vs RCB:
Sandeep Sharma:
Sandeep Sharma, who bowls in the death overs for RR, could be seen bowling with the new ball. His record against Kohli is impressive, and RR will need Kohli out early or else he will once again provide a great platform for his team. Sandeep against him will be a great match-up.
Lockie Ferguson:
Ferguson has taken just 8 wickets from 6 matches, and his economy rate has been around 11 this season. RCB will need him to step up and take wickets in the middle phase. His battle against Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Rana will be an interesting one to watch.
