IPL 2021: Match 16 – Rajasthan Royals (RR) Predicted Playing XI Against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Rajasthan Royals experienced a disastrous outing in the 13th edition of the T20 Championship, hosted at the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The franchise finished at the last position on the points table for the first time in the history of the tournament. However, forgetting the demons of the past, RR made a blistering start to their campaign in IPL 2021. 

Though the franchise lost the game against Punjab Kings, they looked promising. But it seems that the franchise will again give a repeat telecast of IPL 2020 as they flattened again in their third game against CSK after registering a victory against DC in the second match. The team will now lock horns against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Match 16 of IPL 2021 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 22, Thursday.

Here’s RR’s Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2021 Match 16:

Openers (Jos Buttler, Manan Vohra)

Though Rajasthan Royals lost the match against Chennai Super Kings, there is a piece of good news for the franchise as England’s star batsman Jos Buttler seems to have regained his form. Against CSK, Buttler played a decent inning of 49 off 35. When in form, the opening batsman can do a lot of damage to the opposition.

RR’s other opening batsman Manan Vohra needs to buckle up as thus far in IPL 2021, Vohra has failed to play any eye-pleasing knocks. The batsman got the desired start in all the previous three matches, but he has failed to capitalize them.

Middle Order (Sanju Samson (C and WK), Shivam Dube, David Miller)

Sanju Samson was highly impressive in his first match as a captain against Punjab Kings in IPL 2021. Though RR lost the game, Samson made headlines with his stunning knock of 119 runs off 63 deliveries. However, after a sublime knock, the batter failed to add value to the side as a batsman.

Thus, the 26-year-old will be hoping to find his form again to help the Royals achieve a victory against RCB. RR included Shivam Dube in their squad with the hope of providing stability to the batting line-up. The youngster can also act as a part-time bowler and can chip a few overs in the middle.

However, he is yet to live up to his reputation as in the past three games, Dube has scored 23, 2, and 17 runs respectively. An injury to Ben Stokes paved way for the South African batsman David Miller. Miller grabbed the opportunity provided to him with both hands as in his first game in IPL 2021 against DC, the batsman played a match-defining inning of 62 runs off 43 balls.

All-Rounders (Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris)

Both Rahul Tewatia and Riyan Parag were impressive in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they plied their trade for Rajasthan Royals. The two spin all-rounders possess the ability to apply the finishing touches to the innings by hammering some boundaries and sixes. 

However, they are yet to prove their capabilities in IPL 2021 as both the players have delivered disappointing performances, especially with the willow. But RR is unlikely to replace the two all-rounders in the game against RCB. Chris Morris brings in a lot of experience to the RR squad and can act as a finisher for the team.

Bowlers (Shreyas Gopal, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman)

Rajasthan Royals have a sorted pace attack this time in the form of Chetan Sakariya, Jaydev Unadkat, and Mustafizur Rahman. All three pacers have performed well at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Chetan is the highest wicket-taker for the Royals with six scalps.

Jaydev Unadkat was added to the squad as a replacement for Shreyas Gopal in the second match against DC. The left-arm seamer has been highly impressive with the new ball as he picked three wickets against DC while bowling at an economy rate of 3.8. However, the seamer is likely to warm the bench against RCB as there are high chances of Shreyas Gopal getting a place in the Playing XI. 

It is no secret that Gopal has experienced great success against RCB, especially against AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli. The leg-spinner dismissed the two legendary batters seven times collectively in six matches. Thus, Sanju Samson will be looking forward to utilizing this weakness of Kohli and De Villiers.