It’s the first double-header in IPL 2020 and Royal Challengers Bangalore lock horns with Rajasthan Royals at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Both teams toil in the second half of the points table and will hope to improve their position in the points table. We bring you today’s match prediction from Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will be all geared up after their Super Over win against defending champions Mumbai Indians. Bowling coach Adam Griffith got his pacer to aim at a water bottle placed on the edge of the pitch. Navdeep Saini was right on point while Umesh Yadav was working hard to improve his line and length after a woeful start.
Bangalore’s main concern will be death bowling once again. In the eight overs bowled at the death (16-20) against Punjab and Mumbai, they conceded 163 runs at an economy of 20.4 – worst by RCB standards. And they haven’t played yet at Sharjah. Royal Challengers Bangalore will have to match their brilliant batting with a stellar bowling effort to move on top of the points table.
Also Read: IPL 2020: Match 15- Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals – Fantasy Tips
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals will look to arrest their batting collapse and settle their batting order. Skipper Steve Smith might ponder to slot down in the middle-order and open with an Indian batsman alongside Jos Buttler. However, it will be interesting to see if they bring in 19-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal ahead of Robin Uthappa, who has looked completely out of place in IPL 2020.
Speaking on the bowling front, it looks good after Ankit Rajpoot bowled an outstanding over against Kings XI Punjab keeping KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal in check. On top of it, Jofra Archer has also looked in rhythm and will be an important customer as Rajasthan Royals look for their third victory.
IPL 2020: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals on October 3 (Saturday) at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi from 3:30 PM IST
Pitch Conditions
No teams have played in Abu Dhabi so far but with Royal Challengers Bangalore playing three games in Dubai will have a slight advantage. Both teams are likely to bat first in the first afternoon game of IPL 2020 as the pitch looks to slow down as the game progresses.
Predicted Playing XI
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Shivam Dube, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Isuru Udana, Washington Sundar, Adam Zampa, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler (wk), Sanju Samson, Steve Smith (c), Rahul Tewatia, Riyan Parag, Tom Curran, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Ankit Rajpoot, Jaydev Unadkat
Match Prediction – Who will win today’s game?
Royal Challengers Bangalore have a slight advantage over Rajasthan Royals considering that they have played more in Dubai – the wicket is almost similar to that of Abu Dhabi. Rajasthan will have to play out of their skin and come out of that Sharjah hungover to secure their third win.
Also, after considering both teams recent performances whenever they have played each other; Bangalore look like firm favourites to win the game.