Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL Tips: Rajasthan still underrated

Click here Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore odds
Friday 10 April,15:00
TV: Sky Sports

Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL team news

Rajasthan Royals' are three from three. Their defeat of Mumbai Indians was arguably the most impressive result of the season so far as they laid waste to a quality attack in a ran-shortened match. Yas Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi are proving to be a formidable, destructive force.

The balance of the XI is good with Ravi Bishnoi adding spin depth as a substitute. And they are able to rotate their pacers if one is not quite at it. Shimron Hetmyer may be under utilised at No 5 considering his hitting from first down in the World Cup but with Dhruv Jurel there they are hardly weakening themselves.

Possible XI: Jaiswal, Suryvanshi, Hetmyer, Jurel, Parag, Ferreira (sub Bishnoi), Jadeja, Archer, Burger, Sandeep

Royal Challengers Bangalore have looked solid in their opening two matches. They can only beat what is put in front of them but wins over Chennai and Sunrisers suggest they have yet to be truly tested.

The good news is that they are not even at full strength yet. Josh Hazlewood remains on course to play some part this season although this game will not be on his radar. Hazlewood's replacement, Jacob Duffy, is among the wickets despite proving pricey.

Suyash Sharma, the spinner, will sub in and out with Dev Paddikal. Romario Shepherd is a more than useful sixth-bowling option. But he's not a top bowler bet in this league, particularly as he bowled only one over last time out. 

Possible XI: Salt, Kohli, paddikal, Patidar, David, Jitesh, Shepherd, Krunal, B Kumar, A Singh, Duffy

Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL pitch report

It is a tale of two pitches at Barsapara this season. A weak Chennai were rolled for 127 after rain in game three. Royals smashed 150 off 11 against MI after rain. The suspicion, therefore, is that this is a road. MI's reply of 123 off 11 an important stat, too. RCB were the second-most economical team in IPL last season, althout Mumbai were top so perhaps we shouldn't be put off backing runs. Backing both teams to score 180 could be the shrewdest move at an eye-catching 10/111.91. 

The hitting ability of teams in IPL has moved on to such an extent that this would now be considered a below-par score on a fair surface. It does feel like 180 is the new 160 in T20.

Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL match prediction

Rajasthan are outsiders again. Just as they have been for every game this season. RCB are 1.875/6. So we should expect to get around 2.1011/10 when the market forms properly.

At this stage of the season it does feel like early days. But Royals have been so impressive that the market has been slow to catch up. We're not saying they should be favourites but a choice affair would have made sense.

Batting first, Royals will almost certainly be gung-ho again. There's an opprunity to take down Duffy who has it in his locker to go round the park. By the break we could see short prices on the hosts.

That's not to say Bangalore are out of the contest. They are master chasers and prepping for a flip back in the second innings is advised. 

Rajasthan Royals v Royalk Challengers Bangalore IPL player bets

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is 7/24.50 outsider for top RCB bowler. On our numbers we reckon he should be the favourite. He won last time out against Chennai with three wickets and started the season with a 26% return rate (including bets settled on fewest runs conceded). He is probably the least flashy of the RCB bowlers but reliable and steady could be the way to go in this one. We are also keeping an eye on Phil Salt for a top bat win as he is approaching the win zone. Sportsbook offer 7/24.50 for top RCB bat.

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