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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are all set to lock horns with Rajasthan Royals (RR) once again, this time on April 24 at the electric M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The last time these two sides met, RCB dismantled RR with a dominant 9-wicket victory. Now, with the rematch on the horizon, fans are buzzing with anticipation.
How RCB Took Control Last Time
In their previous clash, RCB looked in complete control. Philip Salt and Virat Kohli came out all guns blazing, setting the tone from the first over. Both batters made it look easy, hammering the RR bowlers and making quick work of the chase. Devdutt Padikkal joined the party too, helping wrap things up with minimal fuss. It was a statement win—and a much-needed one.
For RR, the shining light was Yashasvi Jaiswal. His composed 75-run knock gave Rajasthan something to fight with, but the lack of support from the middle order meant they couldn’t post a truly competitive total. Jaiswal stood tall, but the rest couldn’t back him up.
RCB’s Middle Order: A Growing Concern
RCB’s win papered over a bigger issue—their middle order. Once Salt and Kohli are back in the dugout, there’s an unsettling dip in momentum. The middle order, despite having talent and experience, hasn’t found rhythm this season. Collapses in key moments, especially at their home ground, have cost them games.
Looking Ahead to April 24
This isn’t just another league game. For RCB, it’s a chance to fix their home record and prove they’re more than a top-heavy team. For RR, it’s about redemption. Expect fireworks, strategic matchups, and pressure moments. Chinnaswamy will be loud, and both teams know what’s at stake.
If RCB’s middle order can step up, they’ll be hard to beat. If not, it could be another frustrating night for the home fans.
RR’s Batting Lineup Faces Similar Struggles
Rajasthan Royals are also dealing with similar headaches when it comes to their batting. Outside of a few standout knocks—like the recent one from Yashasvi Jaiswal—there hasn’t been enough consistency across the lineup. The top order tends to get starts, but more often than not, those starts don’t translate into big scores. And the middle order? It’s been patchy at best.
Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer have all had their moments, but none have strung together a series of dependable performances. RR’s batting collapses have come at crucial times, leaving the team short of competitive totals or failing to finish strong in chases. The potential is there, no doubt. But unless the lineup clicks together, RR will continue to struggle under pressure.
Consistency is the word that keeps popping up for both sides—and it’s exactly what RR need if they want to bounce back and settle the score with RCB.
