A ‘Royal’ derby. A mouthwatering clash and a bout between two unbeaten teams. The Rajasthan Royals (RR) host defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in what will be the last IPL 2026 game in Guwahati. RR have been ruthless here, scripting big wins over heavyweights like the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI).
However, in RCB, it will be the toughest test for Riyan Parag’s side. RCB have been fabulous as well and have been working as a team since last year. In their previous game, the IPL 2025 champs literally tormented arch-rivals CSK and scored 250 runs. Despite not being able to include Josh Hazlewood, they are doing their job pretty well, and that’s where RR would need to take care. In this article, we will look at the combination with which RR can take field against RCB.
Suryavanshi Jaiswal to continue mayhem vs RCB?
Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal may be the most attacking opening pair in IPL history. Yes, the sample size is short but the two have blown away every opposition. In 10 matches opening together, the two have pummelled 647 runs at 64.7 and at an outstanding run rate of 12.36, the best among all opening pairs in IPL history with a minimum of 600 runs. Let alone IPL, it is the best in all of T20 matches’ history!
And their combined age is just 39, still five years younger than MS Dhoni (44)! Truly surreal what RR have. In what was the most anticipated part of the previous RR vs MI game, Suryavanshi took down Jasprit Bumrah as well. He didn’t play the bowler but the ball, smacking him for two sixes in four balls. There’s no reason why he can’t do it against RCB tonight, with the 15-year-old operating at a SR of 227.35 inside the powerplay, which is easily the best. Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi are yet to be dismissed in the powerplay this season.
Jaiswal, meanwhile, has the Orange Cap with him, having scored 170 runs so far. This season, he is eyeing scoring bulk of runs, while Suryavanshi will be doing all the dirty stuff. Similarly, the indian core is settled with Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag coming next. While Jurel has scored runs, Parag needs to find the consistency he shown in 2024.
Can Donovan Ferreira show his magic?
RR’s perennial problem of finishing should not be a worry this season. They have Shimron Hetymer, who is an incredible touch. Moreover, there’s Donovan Ferreira, who’s literally a T20 specialist. He is yet to fire in the tournament but his upside is massive. In 2025, there was no stopping Ferreira as he hammered 809 runs at 28.89 and 187.26. RR have brought him in a trade with Delhi Capitals (DC) to iron out the gap in the finishing department. Another option on the bench for RR is Dasun Shanaka, who has come in as a replacement for injured Sam Curran.
Predicted RR playing XI vs RCB
| Position | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Vaibhav Suryavanshi | Opener |
| 2. | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Opener |
| 3. | Dhruv Jurel (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 4. | Riyan Parag (C) | All-rounder |
| 5. | Shimron Hetmyer ✈️ | Batter |
| 6 | Donovan Ferreira ✈️ | Batter |
| 7 | Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
| 8 | Ravi Bishnoi | Spinner |
| 9 | Jofra Archer ✈️ | Fast-bowler |
| 10 | Nandre Burger ✈️ | Fast-bowler |
| 11 | Sandeep Sharma | Fast-bowler |
| 12 | Tushar Deshpande | Fast-bowler |
The bowling looks sorted as of now for RR. Using two overseas pacers have been a superb strategy that suits their team. Not all franchises can pull this off. Since they are strong on their Indian batting core, RR can afford to play both Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger. Archer’s battle against Virat Kohli will be spicy, while Burger will love to continue his hot run of form.
Ravindra Jadeja’s addition has paid off so far, with him being that sixth option. He can bowl four overs but there’s no obligation for him to bowl his quota of overs. He’s not leading the spin attack but Ravi Bishnoi is. Bishnoi’s story has been fascinating so far, leading the Purple cap list right now with seven wickets at a bowling average of 11.71.
Two remaining Indian pacers are Sandeep Sharma and Tushar Deshpande. Both are not extreme pace bowlers but are skilful. Deshpande literally won them their clash against GT, defending 11 runs in the last over. Meanwhile, Sandeep holds a terrific record against RCB, and especially against Virat Kohli. Sandeep has 29 wickets in 21 games against RCB. Meanwhile, he has the wood over Kohli, having dismissed him seven times in 18 innings.
RR full squad for IPL 2026
Dhruv Jurel (wk), Donovan Ferreira (traded in)✈️, Jofra Archer✈️, Kwena Maphaka✈️, Lhuan-dre Pretorius✈️, Nandre Burger✈️, Ravindra Jadeja (traded in), Riyan Parag, Sam Curran (traded in)✈️, Sandeep Sharma, Shimron Hetmyer✈️, Shubham Dubey, Tushar Deshpande, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yudhvir Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao, Brijesh Sharma, Adam Milne,✈️Kuldeep Sen
