RCB vs PBKS, 42nd Match, TATA IPL 2025

The 42nd match of TATA IPL 2025 at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium pits Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), riding high on Virat Kohli’s chasing prowess and a perfect away record, against a struggling Rajasthan Royals (RR), desperate to snap a four-match losing streak. RCB, third with 10 points, aim to break their home jinx (0-3), while RR, eighth with four points, seek a miracle to keep playoff hopes alive. The high-scoring Chinnaswamy pitch, likely aided by dew, favors chasers, but RCB’s balanced squad and RR’s injury-hit lineup tilt the scales. Expect a run-fest where RCB’s top order, led by Kohli and Phil Salt, could overpower RR unless Jofra Archer’s pace or Yashasvi Jaiswal’s bat sparks an upset.

📊 Winning Probability

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): 60% ✅
• Rajasthan Royals (RR): 40%
• RCB (60%): Five wins in eight matches, a 5-0 away record, and Virat Kohli’s form (unbeaten fifties in chases) make RCB favorites. Josh Hazlewood’s powerplay control (72.92% dot balls) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing bolster their attack, despite spin struggles (1 wicket in 15 overs at home).
• RR (40%): Two wins in eight matches, a depleted squad without Sanju Samson, and a four-match losing streak dent RR’s chances. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel offer hope, but their misfiring middle order and inconsistent bowling (economy ~9) face a tough Chinnaswamy test.

If RCB Bats First:

• Expected Total: 180–200 runs, driven by Phil Salt’s powerplay aggression (SR ~150), Kohli’s anchoring (SR ~140), and Rajat Patidar’s flair.
• Key Bowlers (RR): Jofra Archer for early wickets, Maheesh Theekshana for middle-over control.
• Finishers to Watch: Tim David (RCB) for late sixes, Shimron Hetmyer (RR) for counterattacks.

If RR Bats First:

• Expected Total: 170–190 runs, anchored by Jaiswal’s fluency and Jurel’s middle-order grit (SR ~130).
• Key Bowlers (RCB): Hazlewood for swing, Kumar for death-over yorkers.
• Game Changers: Jaiswal’s big knock, Kohli’s chase mastery.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.
Impact Player Options: Mohammed Siraj, Dinesh Karthik.
Notes: RCB rely on Salt and Kohli for runs, with Patidar’s leadership stabilizing the middle. Hazlewood and Kumar lead the pace attack, while Suyash Sharma aims to improve spin output.

Rajasthan Royals (RR):
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Dubey, Riyan Parag (c), Nitish Rana, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande.
Impact Player Options: Yuzvendra Chahal, Rovman Powell.
Notes: RR bank on Jaiswal and Jurel for runs, with Parag’s captaincy under scrutiny. Archer’s pace and Hasaranga’s spin are key, but the absence of Samson weakens their core.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):

• Current Form: 5 wins in 8 matches (WLLW), 3rd with a net run rate of ~+0.200. A recent win and 5-0 away record show confidence, but 0-3 at home raises concerns.
• Key Players:
  • Batting:
    • Virat Kohli: 300+ runs (avg. ~50, SR ~140), unbeaten in chases, thrives at Chinnaswamy.
    • Phil Salt: 200+ runs (SR ~150), powerplay aggressor but vulnerable to short balls.
    • Rajat Patidar: 150+ runs, key middle-order anchor.
  • Bowling:
    • Josh Hazlewood: 4+ wickets (economy ~7), powerplay dot-ball king.
    • Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 5 wickets, death-over specialist.
    • Suyash Sharma: Economical spinner, but only 1 wicket at home.
• Injuries/Availability: No major injuries. Siraj or Karthik as impact options for pace or batting.
• Strengths: Top-order firepower, pace bowling depth.
• Weaknesses: Home struggles, ineffective spinners (economy ~9.6).

Rajasthan Royals (RR):

• Current Form: 2 wins in 8 matches (LLLL), 8th with a net run rate of ~-0.500. Four straight losses and Samson’s injury have derailed their campaign.
• Key Players:
  • Batting:
    • Yashasvi Jaiswal: 200+ runs (avg. ~30, SR ~140), top-order linchpin.
    • Dhruv Jurel: 150+ runs (SR ~130), middle-order hope, strong at Chinnaswamy.
    • Riyan Parag: 100+ runs, under pressure as captain.
  • Bowling:
    • Jofra Archer: 5 wickets (economy ~7.5), pace threat.
    • Wanindu Hasaranga: 5+ wickets, spin all-rounder.
    • Maheesh Theekshana: Economical spinner, economy ~7.
• Injuries/Availability: Sanju Samson out. Chahal or Powell as impact options for spin or batting.
• Strengths: Jaiswal’s form, Archer’s pace.
• Weaknesses: Weak middle order, inconsistent bowling, low morale.

🏟 Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
🌡 Weather: Clear, humid (~28–31°C, ~50% humidity) for the 7:30 PM IST start on April 24, 2025. No rain risk, per meteorological data. Dew likely in the second innings, aiding chasers by reducing grip for bowlers.

Pitch Characteristics:

• ✅ Batting-Friendly Surface: Averages ~170–180 in IPL 2025, slower than usual (run rate: 8.5). Small boundaries (73m straight, 64m square) and high altitude favor big hits. Pacers get bounce (economy ~8.5 vs. spin ~9).
• ✅ Scoring Trends: Highest chased: 213/9 (LSG vs. RCB, 2023); lowest defended: 138/7 (PBKS vs. RCB, 2017). Recent RCB vs. DC game saw 332 runs, but three of four matches this season stayed under 180.
• ✅ Chasing vs. Defending: Teams batting second win 53% (52/98 matches), with dew boosting chases. Bat-first wins (41/98) rely on 190+ totals and pace control.

Ideal Strategy:

• 🧤 Batting First: Target 180–200, with Salt/Kohli (RCB) or Jaiswal/Jurel (RR) maximizing powerplay. Middle-order anchors (Patidar, Parag) build, while finishers (David, Hetmyer) explode. Pacers (Hazlewood, Archer) choke death overs to defend.
• 💡 Bowling First: Early wickets via Kumar (RCB) or Archer (RR). Spinners (Suyash, Theekshana) control overs 7–15 to keep scores under 190. Death-over yorkers from Kumar or Sandeep curb big hitters.

For more information follow and subscribe our Telegram channel! Click Here

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Recent Performance:

• 🔥 Strong Campaign: 5 wins in 8 games (WLLW), 3rd with a net run rate of ~+0.200. A 5-0 away record showcases batting depth, but 0-3 at home exposes spin frailty.
• 🌀 Batting Strength: Virat Kohli (300+ runs, SR ~140) leads with chase mastery, scoring 100+ runs at Chinnaswamy. Phil Salt (SR ~150) ignites powerplays, while Rajat Patidar (150+ runs) and Tim David (SR ~160) add firepower.
• ⚔️ Bowling Prowess: Josh Hazlewood (4+ wickets, economy ~7) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (5 wickets) dominate pace, but spinners (Suyash, Krunal) leak runs (economy ~9.6). Over-reliance on pace for wickets is a concern.
• ⚠️ Team Weakness: Spin bowling struggles, home jinx (0-3).

Rajasthan Royals (RR) Recent Performance:

• 💥 Struggling Campaign: 2 wins in 8 games (LLLL), 8th with a net run rate of ~-0.500. Losses to RCB, CSK, and others highlight batting and bowling woes.
• 🎯 Batting Firepower: Yashasvi Jaiswal (200+ runs, SR ~140) anchors, with Dhruv Jurel (SR ~130) showing grit. Riyan Parag and Nitish Rana struggle for consistency, while Hetmyer’s finishing (SR ~150) is underutilized.
• ⚡ Bowling Strength: Jofra Archer (5 wickets, economy ~7.5) leads pace, with Sandeep Sharma supporting. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana (economy ~7) control spin, but lack of wickets in the middle overs hurts.
• ⚠️ Team Weakness: Injured captain, fragile middle order, low confidence.

• ⚔️ Powerplay Domination: RCB’s Salt and Kohli must counter Archer’s pace, while RR’s Jaiswal targets Hazlewood. Chinnaswamy’s small boundaries favor early runs (~50–60), setting the tone.
• 💥 Middle-Order Fireworks: RCB’s Patidar and David face Hasaranga and Theekshana, where spin could leak runs. RR’s Jurel and Parag tackle Suyash, aiming to stabilize. Overs 7–15 will decide momentum.
• 🔄 Death-Over Execution: RCB’s Kumar and Hazlewood must curb Hetmyer’s sixes, while RR’s Archer and Sandeep target David. Dew could favor hitters, making yorkers critical.
• 🧱 Bowling Discipline: RCB’s Hazlewood needs to dismiss Jaiswal early, while RR’s Archer targets Salt’s short-ball weakness. Keeping scores under 190 is key, with pacers controlling the late phase.
• 🧠 Captaincy & Tactical Matchups: Patidar’s leadership will push RCB to choke RR with Kumar’s variations, saving Hazlewood for Jaiswal. Parag’s tactics may deploy Archer against Salt and hold Hasaranga for Kohli. Impact player choices (Siraj for RCB, Chahal for RR) will be pivotal.

🧠 Top Fantasy Picks:

• Captain Choice: 🔥 Virat Kohli (RCB) – Chase master, likely to score 60+ at Chinnaswamy.
• Vice-Captain Choice: ⚡ Josh Hazlewood (RCB) – Consistent wicket-taker, safe points for wickets.
• Budget Pick: 💎 Dhruv Jurel (RR) – Middle-order value, high impact potential.

Dream11 Picks:

• WK: Jitesh Sharma
• Batsmen: Virat Kohli (C), Phil Salt, Yashasvi Jaiswal
• All-Rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga, Krunal Pandya
• Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood (VC), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Sandeep Sharma
  Note: Adjust based on toss and final XI.

🔍 Key Player Match-Ups:

• Salt vs. Archer: Salt’s aggression (SR ~150) meets Archer’s short balls. If Salt dominates, RCB post/chase 190+; if Archer strikes, RR control early.
• Kohli vs. Hasaranga: Kohli’s fluency (avg. ~50) faces Hasaranga’s spin (5+ wickets). An early wicket for Hasaranga slows RCB; if Kohli survives, RCB build a platform.
• Jaiswal vs. Hazlewood: Jaiswal’s form (SR ~140) tests Hazlewood’s swing. If Jaiswal explodes, RR surge; if Hazlewood contains, RCB stay in the game.

📊 Win Probability & Betting Odds:

• RCB: 60% (Odds: ~1.80–1.90)
• RR: 40% (Odds: ~2.00–2.20)

🏆 Final Prediction

RCB’s superior form, batting depth, and pace bowling give them a clear edge at Chinnaswamy. RR’s injury-hit squad and losing streak make them underdogs, but Jaiswal and Archer could spark a fight. Expect a high-scoring clash, with RCB likely to win by 10–15 runs or 4–6 wickets, especially if chasing under 190 due to dew. A first-innings score of 190+ could test RR’s fragile batting unless Jaiswal or Jurel deliver.

📢 Final Thoughts
Batters like Kohli, Salt, and Jaiswal are fantasy must-haves on Chinnaswamy’s batting-friendly pitch, while pacers Hazlewood and Archer will rack up wickets. All-rounders Hasaranga and Pandya add versatility. The toss favors chasing due to dew, but a 190+ total could challenge RR’s bowling unless Archer or Hasaranga step up. For real-time updates, follow official IPL channels!

➡️ Stay locked in with CricPredictor for expert fantasy picks, Betting-Tips, Latest Prediction, Betting Sites, pitch reports, and tactical insights—every IPL game, every night!