IPL 2021: Predicted starting lineups for Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals

Table-toppers Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are all set to face the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in match 16 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 on Thursday. Virat Kholi’s men will look to keep their 100% record in the tournament intact as they look to become the strongest favorites for the crown. Surprisingly enough, Kohli has never been able lead his side to an IPL success so far in his career, but judging by RCB’s current form, this might be their year. However, it is still early in the season and things could go south very easily. 

?? ???? ???! ? #HallaBol | #WiredWithPower | #RCBvRR | @keicable pic.twitter.com/ebjIpD7JOz

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) April 21, 2021

RR, on the other hand, have not had the best of starts to the IPL 2021. They have won one out of the three matches they have played so far and currently sit sixth on the table. The Royals were handed a humbling defeat at the hands of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) last time around and questions will be raised of their bating performance. 

Here are the predicted starting lineups for both sides ahead of their IPL 2021 match.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE

Virat Kohli (Captain): The RCB skipper did not have the perfect day with the bat last time around against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, he is still one of the most effective captains in world cricket and an incredible fielder. 

Devdutt Padikkal: The young opener played a slow knock of 25 off 28 deliveries. Padikkal has been struggling to form in the tournament so far. However, his domestic record speaks for itself and he is an asset to Kohli.

Mohammed Azharuddeen: No, it is not that Azhar. This one is a young wicket-keeper batsman from Kerala who has had an excellent performance in the domestic competitions. He is yet to start a match in the IPL 2021 campaign but Rajat Patidar’s disappointing form may open the door for him to shine.

Glenn Maxwell: The Aussie all-rounder has undoubtedly been RCB’s most in-form player in the season so far.  He scored a magnificent 78 off just 49 deliveries against KKR which helped his team get past the 200-run mark. 

AB de Villiers (WK): The South African veteran is still one of the best power hitters in the game and a crucial weapon down the order for the Challengers. He scored 76 off just 34 deliveries against the Knight Riders. 

Kyle Jamieson: Jamieson was economical with the ball against KKR. That being said, he did pick the three crucial wickets of Shubman Gill,. Pat Cummins and Shakib Al Hasan. He also played a short cameo of 11 off four balls. 

Washington Sundar: A versatile all-rounder in his own right, Sundar did not get the chance to bat against KKR. He did, however, take the crucial wicket of Rahul Tripathi who seemed to be in good form. 

Shahbaz Ahmed: Ahmed did not have a chance to perform with the bat or the ball against the Knight Riders. However, his incredible three-wicket over against the SunRisers Hyderabad which won RCB the match would probably be enough to earn him a spot in the starting XI. 

Mohammed Siraj: Siraj has come into his own as one of India’s top bowlers and his performance in the previous match stands testament to that. He might not have taken a wicket but his economy was under six. He will want ro carry on that for, 

Harshal Patel: Another day, another impressive performance. The youngster has been a revelation at RCB and he kept up the good work against KKR. He ended the gane with two wickets for just 17 runs in his four overs. 

Yuzvendra Chahal: Despite a rough start to the campaign, Chahal finally found himself amongst the wickets against KKR as he picked two for 34 runs in his four overs. 

RAJASTHAN ROYALS

Jos Buttler: The Englishman played a fabulous knock against CSK. However, it was in vain as the rest of the team did perform quite as well. Buttler missed out on his half-century by a run as he scored 49 off 35 deliveries. 

Manan Vohra: Despite under-par performances, Manan Vohra is likely to be given a start again. He scored 14 off 11 deliveries against CSK and will be looking to get some more runs this time around under his belt. 

Sanju Samson (Captain, WK): Samson’s incredible century in RR’s opening game has been marred by his disappointing performances ever since. However, he still is a top-quality batsman and a reliable man behind the stumps.   

Shivam Dube: Dube will be looking to turn his fortunes around against RCB, after a slow 17 off 20 deliveries against CSK. He also had not had the perfect start to the campaign. 

David Miller: The South African was in top form when he scored 62 off 43 bals to hand RR the victory against the Delhi Capitals (DC). He will look to do more of the same against RCB. 

Riyan Parag: Parag had a game to forget last time around. The all-rounder could not do much damage to CSK with bat or ball. He will be looking to turn his form around against RCB as well. 

Rahul Tewatia: In comparison to the rest of his side, Tewatia had a decent game against CSK. He played a cameo of 20 off 15 deliveries and also took a wicket. 

Chris Morris: Despite not being able to get off the mark in the previous game, Morris showed why he was an important asset to the side. He took two crucial wickets against the Super Kings and will want to keep doing the same. 

Jaydev Unadkat: Surprisingly enough, Unadkat shone with the bat rather than the ball against CSK. He failed to take a wicket and went for 40 runs in his four overs. But the Saurashtra captain played a nice little cameo of 24 off 17 deliveries down the order. 

Chetan Sakariya: It has been a season to remember foe young Chetan Sakariya. Much like Harshal Patel, Sakariya has also been a revelation in the RR ranks. He once again showed his skill with the ball when he picked three wickets against the Super Kings. 

Mustafizur Rahman: The Bangladesh pacer is one with immense talent and international experience on his side. He can pick those crucial wickets and also dry up the opposition’s run rate at times. He picked one wicket against CSK last time around.