Sports Desk
24 April
Sandeep Dhand
Journalist and Research Analysist
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Thursday in an important IPL 2025 match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. RCB’s main focus will be to improve its home ground performance, where the team has struggled this season.
So far, RCB has played three matches at Chinnaswamy and lost all of them. While the team has performed well at other venues across the country, their poor record at home has cost them crucial points. One of the key reasons for these losses is the team’s inability to adapt to the slow nature of the Chinnaswamy pitch.
RCB’s batting lineup has looked under pressure. Batters seem confused between playing cautiously or attacking, which has affected their scoring. In their three home matches, RCB has managed only 169/8, 163/7, and a disappointing 95/9 in 14 overs. This is in contrast to other grounds, where the team has scored at a rate of 9-10 runs per over, while at home it has dropped to 7-8.
Virat Kohli remains the backbone of RCB’s batting, averaging 64 in this season. However, the team will expect stronger support from players like Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, and captain Rajat Patidar. On the bowling front, RCB’s bowlers have also failed to take full advantage of the pitch, which offers some assistance.
RCB currently has 10 points and is placed third on the points table. However, both Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants also have 10 points, making the competition intense. To stay ahead, RCB will need to break the losing streak at home.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have their own challenges. Captain Sanju Samson is injured and will not play. In his absence, Riyan Parag will lead the team. With only 4 points, RR is at the 8th spot on the points table. Despite six losses in eight matches, their top batters—Yashasvi Jaiswal, Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Nitish Rana—have shown form.
Young pacer Vaibhav Suryavanshi has also made a promising start, but RR’s bowling unit has been disappointing. Wanindu Hasaranga, their top wicket-taker with 9 wickets in 6 matches, has struggled outside his one good performance. Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, and Sandeep Sharma have taken 8, 7, and 6 wickets respectively but haven’t been consistent.
This match is crucial for both teams to stay in playoff contention and regain confidence.