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Match 42 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will see Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) host Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB are in strong form, winning three of their last five games and sitting comfortably in third place with 10 points. In contrast, RR have struggled, losing four of their last five matches and languishing with just four points. With RCB’s explosive batting lineup clashing against RR’s inconsistent bowling attack, this promises to be an exciting contest. Below is a detailed preview of the match, including team analysis, fantasy picks, pitch report, toss prediction, and winner prediction.
Match Details
| Match | RCB vs RR (Match 42, IPL 2025) |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | April 24, 2025, 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Recent Form | RCB: W-L-L-W-L, RR: L-L-L-W-W |
Team Previews
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Preview
RCB have been in decent form, with their top order leading the charge. Virat Kohli has been in stellar form, scoring 322 runs at an average of 64, while Phil Salt’s aggressive approach has complemented him perfectly. Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar have provided stability in the middle order, with Tim David adding firepower in the death overs. Jitesh Sharma and Liam Livingstone bring balance as both batters and finishers.
Their bowling attack, led by Josh Hazlewood (12 wickets), has been effective. Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma have supported well, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal have been economical. Playing at home gives them an added advantage, and they’ll look to exploit RR’s struggling bowlers.
Rajasthan Royals Preview
RR have endured a tough phase, losing four consecutive games despite individual brilliance from players like Yashasvi Jaiswal. The absence of Sanju Samson due to injury is a major blow, leaving the batting responsibility on Jaiswal and Riyan Parag. Nitish Rana has shown glimpses of form but lacks consistency, while Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer add depth.
Their bowling attack has been expensive, with Wanindu Hasaranga and Jofra Archer being the only reliable options. Tushar Deshpande and Mahesh Theekshana have struggled to contain runs, making it difficult for RR to defend totals. Without a balanced squad, RR face an uphill task against a confident RCB side.
Favourite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Team | Reasons |
|---|---|
| RCB | RCB’s strong batting lineup, consistent form, and home advantage give them the edge over RR. |
Fantasy Team XI
Fantasy Team XI Table
| Player | Role | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | Batsman | RCB |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Batsman | RR |
| Phil Salt | WK/Batsman | RCB |
| Tim David | All-Rounder | RCB |
| Riyan Parag | Batsman | RR |
| Liam Livingstone | All-Rounder | RCB |
| Dhruv Jurel | WK/Batsman | RR |
| Josh Hazlewood | Bowler | RCB |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Bowler | RR |
| Krunal Pandya | All-Rounder | RCB |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Bowler | RCB |
Explanation
This fantasy XI balances explosive batting (Kohli, Jaiswal), consistent performers (Salt, David), and wicket-taking bowlers (Hazlewood, Hasaranga). It leans slightly towards RCB due to their better overall form.
Captain and Vice-Captain Suggestions
- Captain: Virat Kohli (In-form batter; capable of anchoring or accelerating)
- Vice-Captain: Yashasvi Jaiswal (Explosive hitter; reliable under pressure)
Players to Avoid
- Nitish Rana: Struggling to convert starts into big scores.
- Sandeep Sharma: Expensive in recent games and lacks control.
Team Squads and Probable Playing XIs
Squad Tables
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|
| Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar | Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitish Rana |
| Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Romario Shepherd | Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer |
| Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer |
| Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal | Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande |
Probable Playing XI
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Rajasthan Royals |
|---|---|
| Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar | Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nitish Rana |
| Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Romario Shepherd | Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer |
| Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer |
| Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal | Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande |
Pitch Report
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is known for its batting-friendly pitch, offering assistance to batters throughout the game. Spinners may get some turn in the middle overs, but scoring remains easy. A par score of around 190-200 could be competitive.
Toss Prediction
Bowling first is the preferred choice, as chasing has traditionally been easier at this venue due to dew in the second innings.
Winner Prediction
Royal Challengers Bengaluru hold the edge due to their strong batting lineup, consistent form, and home advantage. However, RR’s explosive top order ensures a competitive contest.
Final Answer: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
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