Cricket Prediction | RR vs. RCB | IPL 2025 | 28th Match | April 13 – Can RCB Tighten Their Grip on the Top Four by Sinking Struggling RR?

Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore are ready to get underway in the 28th match of IPL 2025. Mark your calendars for April 13, as the action unfolds at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. The first ball is set to be bowled at 7:30 PM IST, under the lights of one of India’s most vibrant cricketing arenas.

Rajasthan Royals have had an unpredictable tournament so far, featuring a mix of promising young Indian players and seasoned internationals. Sanju Samson’s leadership and batting have brought some stability at the top.

RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, is still finding its footing this season with a blend of explosive batters and potent pacers. Their middle order has shown sparks but often lacks the consistency needed to close out matches.

Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Team Preview & Squads

Rajasthan Royals

Sanju Samson continues to be the backbone of Rajasthan Royals, both as a leader and a top-order batter. His calm presence and aggressive strokeplay give RR a competitive edge. He’ll be crucial in guiding the young squad through pressure situations.

RR’s batting lineup boasts a strong top-order with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer adding flair. Riyan Parag and Nitish Rana offer firepower in the middle overs. Sanju Samson himself remains the pivot around whom the batting revolves.

The bowling unit offers a strong mix of variety and depth, with Jofra Archer spearheading the pace attack. Spinners like Theekshana and Hasaranga provide crucial control, while Tushar Deshpande and Sandeep Sharma offer vital support during the powerplay and death overs.

In their last game against Gujarat Titans on April 9, RR faced a heavy defeat. Gujarat Titans posted a mammoth 217/6, led by a blazing batting effort. Rajasthan Royals, in response, crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for 159 in 19.2 overs. They lost the match by 58 runs, raising concerns about their bowling discipline and middle-order stability.

Rajasthan Royals Squads

Rajasthan Royals

Sanju Samson (c, wk), Jofra Archer, Ashok Sharma, Tushar Deshpande, Shubham Dubey, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jure, Kumar Kartikeya, Akash Madhwal, Kwena Maphaka, Riyan Parag, Nitish Rana, Kunal Singh Rathore, Sandeep Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Maheesh Theekshana, Yudhvir Singh.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Rajat Patidar has taken over the captaincy this season and brings an aggressive mindset to the field. Though still new to leadership at this level, his performances with the bat have shown maturity. He’s keen to lead from the front and inspire a turnaround.

RCB’s batting firepower is undeniable, led by Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, and Liam Livingstone. With Padikkal’s consistency and Tim David’s finishing punch, they’ve got the tools to post or hunt down formidable totals.

The bowling attack is led by experienced internationals like Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, offering a strong combination of pace and control. Spin duties are handled by Suyash Sharma and Mohit Rathee, bringing variety to the middle overs. Additionally, RCB’s pace options are bolstered by Lungi Ngidi and Nuwan Thushara, providing further depth to their attack.

RCB’s last match saw them fall short against Delhi Capitals at home. They managed 163/7 in their 20 overs, a total that looked slightly below par. DC chased it down comfortably in just 17.5 overs, losing only 4 wickets. RCB’s bowling looked flat, especially in the middle overs, and they’ll need a stronger effort against RR.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squads

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Rajat Patidar (c), Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Bethell, Manoj Bhandage, Swastik Chikara, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Liam Livingstone, Mohit Rathee, Lungi Ngidi, Devdutt Padikkal, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Salam, Phil Salt (wk), Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, Nuwan Thushara, Yash Dayal.

RR vs RCB Outfield Report

Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

The Jaipur surface typically favors batting, offering even bounce and true pace. As the match progresses, spinners start to play a more prominent role, particularly in the second innings. While scores above 180 are defendable, chasing becomes quite achievable if the top order settles in.

Jaipur will experience warm weather with temperatures hovering around 32°C at the start of the match. Humidity will remain low, ensuring a dry ball and ideal conditions for both batting and spin bowling. Dew might not play a major role in this game.

Historically, Jaipur has seen high-scoring games with first innings scores often crossing 180. The highest recorded total here is 197, while the lowest successful defense is around 150. Teams batting first would ideally target 185+ to feel secure.

Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

In their last five encounters, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore have been closely matched, with RCB holding a slight edge in the head-to-head record at 3-2.

RR vs RCB Prediction

According to cricket analysts Royal Challengers Bengaluru have a 54% chance of Winning.

Disclaimer: This cricket prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.