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IPL 2021 | RCB vs RR: Ferocious Challengers face struggling Samson and Co. on their winning trail

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It has been a sensational start for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Vivo IPL 2021 and for the first time they have won their first three matches. However as their caravan moves from Chennai to somewhat familiar territory in Mumbai, they have their first opponents lining up in the form of Rajasthan Royals. Royals have all sorts of problems lined up for them as, after Ben Stokes’ broken hand, Liam Livingstone has returned to England citing bubble fatigue.

Virat Kohli’s side though has no such problem as they are buzzing with confidence. All the players in the team are ready to put their hands up and do the job for the franchise whenever they are in a precarious situation. It is in such contrasting situations that the two teams collide. 

Samson must lead by example

Samson, 26, showed in the very first game how he could be the go-to man with the bat and can lead the side in the field. While his leadership hasn’t been that great in terms of attacking mindset, but it is his inconsistency with the bat which has been a major problem for the Men in Pink. If the Royals are to have any chance of challenging other teams, especially in the absence of Stokes and few others skipper Samson needs to take the charge.  

In the previous eight seasons that he has played, Samson has been very inconsistent. Starting the season on a high, the Keralite has always waned as the seasons progressed. With more than 2700 runs under his kitty in more than 110 matches, Sanju must now take into account the responsibility that has been put on his shoulders. 

Along with Samson, the likes of Jos Buttler, David Miller and Chris Morris,  the senior statesmen of the team need to make sure that Royals are also in a good frame of mind and turn it around for themselves against the best team in the tournament so far. 

Hard to believe, but RCB need not change anything

Virat Kohli’s men have found their mojo with Glenn Maxwell and Ab de Villiers, their two best foreign recruits in top form. Along with it, their death bowling, which used to be the biggest weak link in every season has finally been resolved with Harshal Patel and Kyle Jamieson hitting the right lengths. 

In fact, 24, 27 and 40 have been the number of runs conceded in the last four of their last three games respectively. Patel, 30, has been the pick of the bowlers with nine wickets in three games, including a fifer. Jamieson on the other hand has been brilliant with five scalps as well. It is between these two and Mohammed Siraj that Kohli has found a trio that can sail RCB through death. 

Along with these impactful players, the likes of Shahbaz Ahmed, Washington Sundar and Devdutt Padikkal become crucial for RCB going ahead as well. Kohli needs to get back to some run-scoring form and the team will continue to do good as the tournament progresses. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals: Match Details

Match Number- 16

Date and Time: April 22, 2021, 07:30 pm IST, 02: 00 pm GMT

Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Broadcast and Live Stream: Star Sports and Hotstar

Pitch Report

The Pitch at Wankhede has played notoriously in the past two games especially with a dry ball. It offered a huge turn to Chennai Super Kings bowlers while both Rajasthan and Chennai utilised the ball well in the first innings against Delhi Capitals and Punjab respectively. Thus high total games are no more certainty on that wicket. 

Weather and Toss

Intermittent clouds at the time of the game are predicted meaning that the amount of dew would increase. This increased dew would force the captains to go for the chase after winning the toss. 

Team News

Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB played with only three overseas in their last games and went with an extra batting cushion of Rajat Patidar. At Wankhede, they wouldn’t be requiring that extra cushion and thus Daniel Sams becomes an obvious choice in the side if he is fully fit. 

Strongest XI

Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers (wk), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Daniel Sams, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

Rajasthan Royals

Both Jaydev Unadkat and Shivam Dube haven’t been able to do anything extraordinary for the team so far. Rahul Tewatia and Riyan Parag haven’t been that great either. Thus it is the right time to bring in Kartik Tyagi and Mahipal Lomoror in the mix. Both these players have done well in the limited opportunities presented to them and it will be interesting to see if the team management goes with the duo.

Strongest XI

Jos Buttler, Manan Vohra, Sanju Samson (c & wk), David Miller, Mahipal Lomror, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Kartik Tyagi, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman

Dream XI Predictions / Fantasy XI Suggestions

AB de Villiers, Jos Buttler (wk/vc), Virat Kohli, David Miller, Ryan Parag, Glenn Maxwell (c), Chris Morris, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel, Mustafizur Rahman, Chetan Sakariya 

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