RCB’s Unusual Record: Dominant Away, Winless at Home
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) enter this clash with Rajasthan Royals carrying a strange stat—they haven’t won a single game at home in IPL 2025, but are undefeated on the road. As Virat Kohli pointed out after their last win: “RCB have played some amazing cricket away from home.” Now the big question is—can they replicate that magic at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium?
RCB Riding High in the Top Four
Thanks to their consistent performances away, RCB currently sit 4th on the points table with 10 points from 8 games. Their recent victory over Punjab Kings only strengthened their campaign. Kohli and his squad are finally displaying the kind of energy and balance that had been missing in past seasons. Young guns like Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, and Shepherd have added firepower, while the presence of Liam Livingstone adds extra depth.
Rajasthan Royals in Trouble: Four Losses in a Row
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals are in a tough spot—8th in the standings with just four points from 8 matches. They’re reeling from four straight losses, including two heartbreaking finishes where they failed to score 9 runs in the final over. Adding to their woes, star captain Sanju Samson is out, and Riyan Parag has taken back the captaincy to try and turn things around.
Predicted Playing XIs
Rajasthan Royals (RR):
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Riyan Parag (c), Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana/Kwena Maphaka, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande
RCB: Expected to feature Kohli, Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Livingstone, Shepherd, and other regulars.
Milestones to Watch
Several players are close to major career milestones today:
| Player | Milestone | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 3000 T20 opening runs | 18 runs |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 2000 IPL runs | 86 runs |
| Riyan Parag | 1500 IPL runs | 115 runs |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 1000 runs for RR | 98 runs |
| Tushar Deshpande | 50 IPL wickets | 2 wickets |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 50 IPL wickets | 6 wickets |
| Jofra Archer | 50 wickets in India (T20) | 1 wicket |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 200 T20 wickets | 1 wicket |
Key Players: Jaiswal & Archer
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been RR’s top batter this season, scoring 307 runs in 8 games and climbing into the Orange Cap race. Jofra Archer leads their bowling attack with 8 wickets and will be crucial in breaking RCB’s batting rhythm.
Kohli: “The Boys Are Hungry”
After their last win, Kohli praised his teammates’ intensity:
“You can see it in how they dive around the field, how they fight. It’s not just about skill anymore—it’s about hunger. That’s what we’ve been missing in previous seasons.”
Final Thoughts: A Crucial Turning Point
This match is a crossroads for both teams. For RCB, it’s a shot at finally winning at home and solidifying their top-4 status. For RR, it’s a desperate bid to break their losing streak and revive their playoff hopes. With high stakes on both sides, expect fireworks under the Bengaluru lights.(online casino)