RR vs RCB Highlights, IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's fire and Dhruv Jurel's ice seals 6-wicket win

There it is! Dhruv Jurel finishes it off in style, striking the winning runs and sealing another clinical chase for Rajasthan Royals.

He remains unbeaten on 81, capping off a superb innings at No. 3 and guiding RR to their fourth win in a row. Brilliant performance from Riyan Parag’s side.

Feels like RCB may have missed a trick here by sticking with Abhinandan Singh. On a surface offering some grip, Suyash Sharma could have been a better option.

Bringing in Venkatesh Iyer as the impact sub might have added more balance as well. In hindsight, this call could prove costly.

Oh no, has Dhruv Jurel pulled up here? It looks like he’s struggling with cramps in the middle. That’s the last thing RR need at this stage.

They’ll be hoping it’s nothing serious and that he can carry on to see this chase through.

Unreal hitting from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi! He’s absolutely torn RCB apart, smashing 78 off just 26 balls at a staggering strike rate of 300.

74 of those runs coming in boundaries alone tells you everything about the kind of innings this has been. Pure domination.

Looks like RCB have exhausted their options at the moment. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has the one over left. Romario Shepherd is into the attack. 7 runs in the over and it looks like it is more or less a formality to see the chase through to the end now.

Oh no, is that the game slipping away for RCB? Dhruv Jurel takes on Abhinandan Singh, smashing two boundaries in the over. One of them flies off a thick edge past the keeper.

A tough chance for Jitesh Sharma, but that could have completely changed the game.

What is Ravindra Jadeja trying to do here? Krunal Pandya keeps banging it in short, and Jadeja goes for the ramp before trying to pull the next one.

He’s lucky neither found a fielder. Krunal looks visibly frustrated as Jadeja continues to flirt with risk.

The required rate is dropping steadily now. It’s been well below the asking rate since that flurry of wickets. That said, these two need to take responsibility and see this through.

Ravindra Jadeja doesn’t need to force the big shots, while Dhruv Jurel has looked solid. Just a matter of keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Oh no! Riyan Parag, what have you done? As captain, he needed to show a bit more responsibility. With the asking rate just over a run-a-ball, there was no need to force it.

But he goes for the big shot and ends up finding the fielder in the deep. A massive moment in the game.

What do we have here! Shimron Hetmyer promoted to No. 4, but it hasn’t worked out. Krunal Pandya goes with the cheeky short ball, Hetmyer attempts a loose upper cut and ends up gifting a catch.

That’s a poor shot from the West Indies star. RCB might still be down, but they’re certainly not out of this just yet.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s sensational knock comes to an end, and it’s a touch fortunate for Krunal Pandya, who gets the breakthrough.

RCB still have a mountain to climb from here, but they don’t look like a side that’s going to go down without a fight.

RCB are getting a bit desperate here. They’ve turned to Tim David’s off-spin, which isn’t too surprising given the absence of Suyash Sharma.

But Vaibhav Sooryavanshi isn’t easing up either. He’s taking the attack to him as well, and at this rate, you have to wonder just how quickly this chase will be wrapped up.

With Vaibhav Sooryavanshi taking down bowlers for fun, it has really relieved the pressure of Dhruv Jurel as well. Some fine shots by the No.3 as well to keep the momentum going. Question is what RCB are going to do now with the fielding restrictions now removed. 

Another over of sheer class from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He’s taking on everyone, no matter who’s bowling, even the very best in the business.

He brings up a breathtaking 15-ball fifty, making it look effortless. At this point, you have to wonder, what more does this kid have to prove?

This is absolutely outrageous from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He took on Abhinandan Singh with ease, smashing two boundaries and a six, but what followed against Josh Hazlewood was simply unthinkable.

Sooryavanshi tore into one of the best bowlers in the world, picking up three boundaries in a row before topping it off with a stunning six. Hitting Hazlewood for fun like this is incredible to watch.

What a start for Josh Hazlewood, exactly what RCB would have hoped for. Yashasvi Jaiswal went chasing a delivery he didn’t need to play, only to edge it through to the keeper. Even Jitesh Sharma looked a bit surprised by how comfortably that carried through.

Yashasvi Jaiswal 13(8) c Jitesh Sharma b Josh Hazlewood

RR vs RCB, IPL 2026 Live Score: (RR 21/1 in 1.6 ov)

A rollercoaster innings from RCB. It started fast, with Archer and Burger getting the ball to move, but the batters still managed to find boundaries. Then things went downhill quickly as wickets kept falling, leaving them at 125/7 in 14 overs and forcing the Impact Player move. Rajat Patidar then stepped up with a brilliant knock to steady things, and Venkatesh Iyer added some useful runs at the end to take RCB to a decent total. RCB will be pretty happy with the total they've managed to put on the board.

Most 200-plus totals in the IPL
37 - CSK
37 - RCB*
33 - PBKS
32 - MI
30 - KKR

Venkatesh Iyer capped off a superb cameo, smashing a six off the final ball to take RCB past the 200-run mark and finish with a flourish. Walking in as the Impact Sub, he turned the last over into a costly one, starting with a cheeky reverse-lap four and then launching a clean hit over deep mid-wicket. Despite a couple of dots, Iyer kept the pressure on, picking up twos and punishing anything loose as Sandeep Sharma leaked 21 runs in the over, making Riyan Parag’s call to hand him the final over an expensive one.

Venkatesh Iyer showed his worth as the Impact Sub with a handy burst in the final over. He started with a clever reverse lap that raced away for four, catching the field off guard, and then followed it up by picking a length ball in the slot and sending it over deep mid-wicket for six. 

Venkatesh Iyer is finding it tough to get going at this stage, struggling to middle the ball as Brijesh Sharma keeps things tight with clever variations. A miscued cut and a couple of quiet singles reflect the pressure building, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar brings a bit of relief for RCB with a cracking boundary. Given some width outside off, Bhuvneshwar frees his arms and thumps it over covers, injecting some much-needed momentum into the innings. Despite that, RR will feel they’ve kept things largely under control in this phase, with Venkatesh unable to break free.

Sandeep Sharma nailed a crucial 18th over, striking first ball to dismiss Rajat Patidar and pulling things back for RR. After the wicket, he kept it tight with smart lengths and only singles on offer, not allowing RCB to break free. A tidy, high-pressure over just when RR needed control.

Just when Rajat Patidar was looking set for a big finish, Sandeep Sharma delivered a key breakthrough. He fired it in full on the pads, and the ball held up a touch in the surface. Patidar went a bit too early into the slog, and it came off the lower part of the bat, looping towards deep mid-wicket. Ferreira stayed calm and completed a safe catch. A solid knock from Patidar comes to an end 63 off 40 with four fours and four sixes. RCB now need a strong finish from the rest.

Rajat Patidar is making it look easy against Ravi Bishnoi. The first six was a clean hit straight back over the bowler’s head, going a long way into the stands. On the very next ball, he stayed in his crease and picked a flatter delivery, sending it high over deep mid-wicket for another six. Two big hits in a row, and suddenly the pressure is back on Bishnoi, with Riyan Parag stepping in to have a quick chat with him.

RCB captain Rajat Patidar is right in the zone, bringing up a sublime fifty with a shot that oozes class. Sandeep misses the yorker by inches and Patidar cashes in, freeing his arms and drilling it past extra cover for a cracking boundary. That stroke not only gets him to his half-century but also pushes RCB past the 150 mark. It’s been a captain’s knock in every sense — composed under pressure, yet aggressive when it mattered. And the way he’s batting, he looks far from done.

Rajat Patidar is stepping up when it matters, taking charge with a pair of cracking sixes to lift RCB's tempo. Burger bangs one in short and Patidar is ready for it, getting into position quickly and pulling it clean over deep backward square. Next ball he has a swing and misses, but he doesn't hold back for long. When Burger pitches the ball up, Patidar stands tall and hits it straight over long-off. This is a proper captain's knock in the making, with Patidar looking to drag RCB forward with some much-needed intent.

RCB mix things up with a smart call, hands left-hander Venkatesh Iyer debut as the extra batter in place of Padikkal. It's a clear push for more depth and flexibility in the batting. Iyer walks in with the game nicely poised, and he'll look to settle quickly while keeping the runs flowing. Burger is back into the attack as well, going around the wicket straightaway to create that angle across the left-hander and make life a bit tricky early on. Good little battle brewing here.

OUT! And that should hurt RCB badly. Ravindra Jadeja keeps it simple, darting one in on a teasing length just outside leg, but the surface does the rest. The ball grips, holds up, and Romario Shepherd is completely through his swipe. The result is a massive top edge that goes straight up, hanging in the air forever. Brijesh at short fine leg nearly makes a mess of it, fumbling the first attempt, but manages to hold on the second time. Relief for Jadeja, but more trouble for RCB, who are now seven down and slipping fast in this innings.

Brijesh Sharma's over went for 15 and gave RCB some much-needed momentum. It started quietly with a couple of singles, but Rajat Patidar broke the pattern by standing tall and smashing one straight back over the bowler for four. Romario Shepherd then took over, cutting a short ball past point and following it up with a neat flick fine down the leg side for another boundary. The lines drifted, the lengths missed, and RCB made full use of it.

RCB brought up the 100 in the 12th over, and it was Romario Shepherd who finally broke the shackles with the first six of the innings. Tossed up full outside off, hinting at a googly, but Shepherd was in no mood to read it off the pitch. He got to the pitch in a flash, planted the front foot and smoked it clean over long-off, sending a clear message that the pressure wasn't getting to him.

RCB's innings continues to fall apart, and this time it's Tim David who departs. Brijesh Sharma digs in a slower, shorter ball that holds up on the surface, and David is through his shot too early. He tries to muscle it down the ground but ends up hitting it flat, straight to Shimron Hetmyer at long-on. A straightforward catch, and RCB lose another at a crucial stage, with Brijesh picking up his second wicket in quick time.

A proper contest unfolding between Jofra Archer and Tim David, with both refusing to back down. Archer keeps banging it in short, testing David with steep bounce and bodyline pace, but the batter is holding his ground. One such delivery sat up just enough and David climbed on top of it, pulling it over mid-wicket for four, even without clean timing. Archer, though, keeps coming hard, mixing his lengths and making sure nothing comes easy. It’s tight, hostile and evenly poised, exactly the kind of battle that lifts the tempo in the middle overs.

For those wondering if the pitch has played differently from the pre-match expectations, the answer is yes-at least to an extent. There's been just enough in it to keep things interesting, with pacers getting some movement and spinners finding a bit of grip. It's not a flat batting paradise where runs flow freely, and batters have had to be a little more careful with their shot selection. That said, it's still a surface where a good innings can make a big difference. A total in the 180-plus range feels like a strong score here, and that's probably the number both teams have in mind during this time-out.

Brijesh Sharma strikes in his first over and RCB are in deeper trouble. Jitesh Sharma had no answer, trapped right in front. It was back of a length on middle, nipping in and staying a bit low. Jitesh was late in bringing the bat down and got hit on the pad. He had a quick word with his skipper but decided against the review, and it looked a fair call. RCB are five down now.

LIVE SCORE: RCB (76/5 in 8.4 overs) vs RR

Ravindra Jadeja started well, keeping things tight with his quick and accurate bowling. Jitesh Sharma found it hard to score as Jadeja blocked easy singles and stayed sharp in the field. Rajat Patidar hit a good boundary over cover, but Jadeja stayed in control otherwise. It was a neat over, with very few runs given away and pressure building.

Ravi Bishnoi has pulled things back brilliantly for RR. Two overs, just six runs and two wickets, and suddenly the momentum has shifted. RCB, who started well, have been pegged back and are now struggling to score freely. Bishnoi has kept things tight in this over as well, giving away only singles to Jitesh Sharma and Rajat Patidar, while constantly mixing his lengths and pace. The batters have found it difficult to break free, and RR are firmly back in the game.

What a sensational effort from Shimron Hetmyer, and Ravi Bishnoi has another! Tossed up just outside off, Krunal Pandya stepped out looking to go big over long-off but sliced it flat and hard. Hetmyer charged in from the deep, dived full length and pulled off a stunning low catch inches above the turf. It came at him quickly, but he held on brilliantly to complete a screamer. Krunal departs for 1, Bishnoi picks up his second, and RCB are now four down in a wobble.

A dramatic Powerplay saw RCB take a few hits despite a brief burst with the bat. Jofra Archer made an instant impact, removing Phil Salt off the very first ball. RCB responded with a strong counter in the next over, taking 19 runs off Nandre Burger, but Archer struck again to send back Devdutt Padikkal. Just when RCB needed a steady hand, Ravi Bishnoi delivered a big wicket by dismissing Virat Kohli, leaving them three down at the end of six overs.

RCB (61/3 in 6 overs) vs RR

A rejig in the batting order sees Krunal Pandya walk in at No. 5, with a slip in place. He joins RCB captain Rajat Patidar in the middle. RCB have started well in the PowerPlay, but the loss of three key wickets has pegged them back.

Ravi Bishnoi gets the big man as he bowled Virat Kohli with a well-disguised googly. Tossed up just outside off, the ball dipped late and turned sharply back in as Kohli tried to go inside-out, only to be beaten for pace and flight. It went through his bat and hit the stumps, ending a brisk innings. Kohli made 32 off 16 balls with seven fours, but never looked fully settled despite scoring quickly.

There is no stopping Virat Kohli today! Kohli hits a couple of boundaries to take RCB past 50 inside four overs. He brought out his trademark cover drive, leaning into a full ball outside off and placing it neatly through extra cover. Soon after, he stepped out and lifted a back-of-a-length delivery over mid-off for another four, putting Sandeep Sharma under pressure.

Jofra Archer finally gets his man as Devdutt Padikkal holes out after a brisk start. The short ball sticks in the pitch and Padikkal mistimes his shot high in the air. Shimron Hetmyer runs in from deep square and holds his nerve, completing a good catch with a late lunge. Padikkal goes for 14 off 7, and Archer has his second.

Virat Kohli kept things ticking for RCB with three boundaries in the over against Jofra Archer. Using the pace on offer, he found gaps behind square and kept the scoreboard moving. Archer was unable to build any pressure as RCB got off to a sensational start.

Nandre Burger leaked runs early as RCB capitalised on anything loose. Devdutt Padikkal set the tone by cutting a short and wide delivery to the boundary, before Virat Kohli took over with a trademark flick off his pads for four. Burger did beat Kohli with a sharp, swinging delivery, but struggled with control, conceding five wides down the leg side and another boundary via byes. It turned into an expensive over, with RCB picking up momentum.

Virat Kohli rode his luck on the very first ball as Jofra Archer found the edge, but it still raced away for four. Bowling back of a length outside off, Archer drew Kohli into a poke and the thick outside edge flew past the keeper to his right, well beyond the slip fielder. It was another streaky boundary, but RCB happily took it, collecting 13 runs from the opening over.

Devdutt Padikkal got RCB going with two boundaries off Jofra Archer. The first was a short and wide delivery that he slashed over backward point. He followed it up with another four, getting a thick outside edge on a back-of-a-length ball outside off as it flew past second slip.

What a statement start from RR, and Jofra Archer has delivered a thunderbolt straight away to remove Phil Salt for a duck.  Archer bowled a short ball on middle stump that rose sharply. Salt could not get out of the way and the ball hit near the handle of his bat. The ball went up in the air, and Dhruv Jurel took an easy catch behind the stumps. RCB lost a wicket early.

The umpires make their way out to the centre. RCB openers Virat Kohli and Phil Salt walk out to the middle, while the RR fielders take their positions.

Revised conditions:
No overs lost.
First innings: 8:40 PM – 10:10 PM
10-minute break
Second innings: 10:20 PM – 11:50 PM
 

Well, good news from Guwahati. The rain has stopped. The ground staff is working to get the covers peeled off.

The Rajasthan Royals bowlers, including Jorfa Archer, have begun the warm-up near the pitch. 

No overs lost so far. 

One change for both teams. Big change for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel(w), Riyan Parag(c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood.

Rain gets heavier in Guwahati. The covers are coming back. The match was set to start at 8:15 pm IST. But, we might have further delay. 

The rain has returned. It cut short the toss as Rajat Patidar was speaking to Ian Bishop, who was hosting the ceremony. 

It is not pouring down, we reckon. The two teams are having a huddle in the middle. 

Good news for RCB fans. Josh Hazlewood has returned to the XI, set to feature in the first match of the season. 

RCB, however, have dropped Jacob Duffy. Was there not space for both of them? 

Rajat Patidar said they went in with the more experienced bowler. 

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have dropped Tushar Deshpande and brought back Brijesh Sharma. 

Rajasthan Royals have won the toss and opted to bowl first in Guwahati. 

Riyan Parag did not even think twice before making the call. 

"It was supposed to be a dry wicket. But, it has been raining for the last couple of days, so there will be a bit of moisture. We will try and exploit it," Parag said.

Good call, folks? 

Good news from Barsapara as the rain has cleared, setting the stage for a full 20-overs-a-side clash. The toss is scheduled for 8:00 PM IST, with play set to begin at 8:15 PM.

On the broadcast, Virat Kohli was seen catching up with Vikram Rathour and Ravindra Jadeja. 

Well, Josh Hazelwood is warming up and he has been doing a lengthy pre-match drill. He also bowled on the practice pitches. 

Will he play today? 

We will know in less than 20 minutes. 

Okay, we have the confirmation. Toss will happen at 8 pm IST. The game will start at 8:15 pm IST, provided there is no more rain until then. 

No overs lost. 

Good news. "Very positive sign," says Michael Clarke, who is in Guwahati. The covers are coming off. 

The ground staff are running a super sipper on the outfield. 

The stands are already packed. 

"The pitch looks good. It's hard underneath. It's going to be great for batting," says Clarke. 

Guwahati is wearing a festive look. Outside the stadium, there were plenty of VK 18 shirts. The craze for Virat Kohli has been unreal in Guwahati. 

This is the last match at the ACA Stadium this season. Fans would want the rain gods to show some mercy. 

Well, there is a bit of rain around in Guwahati. We might have interruptions today. 

Here's BBC's forecast for the rest of the day. 

Some good news. The rain has relented. But, it's still drizzling. The pitch and the square have been covered. The ground staff walked onto the field, trying to assess things. 

"It's still sprinkling," says Michael Clarke, who is at the ACA Stadium. 

Keep in mind, there was rain in the last game here in Guwahati betweeen Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. It rained until 9:30 pm that day. But the ground staff was able to get the ground ready in less than 40 minutes and an 11-overs-per=side game got underway at 10:10 pm.

Let's keep our hopes high. The drainage at the Barsapara Stadium.

The crowd, which is come in large numbers to watch Virat Kohli and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, will want a full game. 

Keep in mind, the cut-off for a 5-overs-per-side game is around 11:10 pm IST. And we will start losing overs only after 8:30 pm IST. 

Toss delayed in Guwahati, confirms IPL. A few minutes ago, the players from both the sides were doing their pre-match warm-ups. 

But, it seems the covers are on and the toss will be delayed. 

Latest: The drizzle has picked up. It's gotten heavier. 

It has started to drizzle in Guwahati. The weather in the east has been rough. The forecast for the rest of the day is not bad. But, we might have a stop-start contest today.

Keep in mind, Rajasthan’s last game against Mumbai Indians here was reduced to 11-overs-per-side. 

The covers are coming on. The ground staff is being ready for the development situation. 

Both teams are likely to remain unchanged for the big match. 

Why change winning combinations? 

RR Predicted Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi

Impact Player: Donovan Ferreira

RCB Predicted Playing XI: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma

Impact Player: Devdutt Padikkal

Rajasthan’s biggest strength lies in their explosive opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At just 15, Sooryavanshi adds a striking contrast to Jaiswal, who, despite being young himself, is the more experienced partner.

The duo provided a flying start against Mumbai Indians in the previous game, setting the tone early. If they replicate that against the new-ball pair of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jacob Duffy, RCB could find themselves under pressure.

In contrast, RCB’s top order brings experience to the table. Virat Kohli and Phil Salt have not yet clicked together this season, but on a good batting surface, they remain a formidable pair.

RCB’s depth was evident in their previous outing against Chennai Super Kings, where they posted a mammoth 250 despite a slow start.

The streets around the Barsapara Stadium are buzzing with energy as RCB fans turn up in huge numbers, painting Guwahati red. Virat Kohli’s popularity continues to draw massive crowds, with supporters creating a carnival-like atmosphere ahead of the big clash.

Rajat Patidar is right by the strip making his assesment of the pitch that is going to be used tonight. It will be interesting to see if RCB can get a read of the conditions better than the other visiting teams this season. 

Clear skies are expected through most of the match window in Guwahati, with temperatures gradually dipping from around 23°C to 19°C late into the night. There is a slight chance of light showers early on, but conditions look set to improve as the game progresses.

As per ESPNCricinfo, it looks like the Super Soppers are hard at work at the Baraspara Stadium in Guwahati. Fingers crossed that we don't have a delayed start. Good news is that the covers are off for the moment and rain has stopped.

A classic youth versus experience contest is on the cards as teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi takes on the crafty Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The youngster has dazzled with fearless strokeplay this season, but Bhuvneshwar’s swing and control with the new ball pose a serious test.

Their last meeting in 2025 had its share of drama. Sooryavanshi struck a couple of early sixes, showing no hesitation, before Bhuvneshwar bounced back to dismiss him for 16. Expect another fascinating duel when these two face off again tonight.

Both RCB and RR come into this clash unbeaten in IPL 2026, but that streak could be tested tonight, with weather looming as a key factor in Guwahati. Rajasthan’s previous game here was nearly washed out, eventually reduced to an 11-over contest after a strong effort from the groundstaff, and rain could once again play a part in shaping the outcome.

Rajasthan Royals will once again rely on the explosive opening duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose fearless starts have set the tone this season. Their aggressive approach, especially in the powerplay, could test RCB’s new-ball pair of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jacob Duffy early on.

RCB, however, counter with experience at the top. Virat Kohli and Phil Salt are yet to fire together but remain a dangerous combination on a good batting surface. Their batting depth was on full display in the last game, where they piled up 250 despite a slow start, underlining the firepower in this lineup.

RCB step into their first away game of the season tonight, a phase they thrived in last year. Much of that success was driven by Virat Kohli, who was exceptional on the road, averaging close to 100 and setting the tone for their dominant run.

Lucknow Super Giants have signed South Africa all-rounder George Linde as a replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga, who has been ruled out of IPL 2026 with a hamstring injury. Hasaranga, picked for INR 2 crore at the auction, sustained the injury during Sri Lanka’s opening game of the T20 World Cup.

Linde, a left-handed batter who bowls slow left-arm orthodox, brings significant T20 experience with over 250 matches, along with 403 runs and 35 wickets in T20Is. The Protea all-rounder will join LSG for INR 1 crore, marking his first stint in the IPL.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru head into this clash with renewed confidence around Devdutt Padikkal, who has rediscovered his rhythm at one down. After mixed returns in previous seasons, the left-hander looks back to his fluent best, carrying domestic form into the IPL with back-to-back fifties and a more controlled yet aggressive approach.

With Virat Kohli anchoring the top and Phil Salt providing explosiveness, RCB’s batting suddenly looks deeper and more balanced. Add a much-improved bowling unit into the mix, and the defending champions appear well-equipped to challenge Rajasthan’s high-flying start in Guwahati.

Guwahati has not been an easy venue for visiting sides. Rajasthan Royals have turned it into a stronghold, winning both their games here this season. Last year, Jofra Archer’s raw pace rattled Chennai Super Kings, and the trend of home dominance has continued at this venue.

Rajasthan Royals will bank on their explosive opening duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose fearless approach has already turned heads this season. Their rapid start in the previous game set the tone, and a similar burst against Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jacob Duffy could put RCB on the back foot early.

On the other side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru bring proven experience through Virat Kohli and Phil Salt. While the pair is yet to fully fire together, their pedigree on batting-friendly surfaces makes them a serious threat. Add to that RCB’s deep batting unit, highlighted by their 250-run effort in the last game, and this contest shapes up as youth versus experience in the truest sense.

Read more about in our match preview: HERE

RR Predicted Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi

Impact Player: Donovan Ferreira

RCB Predicted Playing XI: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma

Impact Player: Devdutt Padikkal

As per the AccuWeather forecast, clear skies are expected during the match, but there has been rain in Guwahati over the past couple of days. That could leave some moisture in the surface, making it interesting to see if the pacers get early assistance.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of tonight’s IPL 2026 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. It is a top-of-the-table showdown with both sides unbeaten so far. RCB arrive as defending champions while RR continue to impress as a fearless and in-form unit.