In a high-intensity clash, Rajasthan Royals have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Despite earlier interruptions from rain, there will be a full 20 over game, with the match set to start at 8:40 PM IST.
There is one change for Rajasthan Royals as Tushar Deshpande misses out and has been given rest, with Brijesh Sharma coming into the playing XI.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru also have a key change. Jacob Duffy misses out, while Josh Hazlewood returns to the XI after missing the last three matches due to injury, which is a big boost for their bowling attack.
Rajasthan Royals Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma
Impact Subs: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Shubham Dubey, Tushar Deshpande
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Playing XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Josh Hazlewood
Impact Subs: Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Salam Dar, Kanishk Chouhan, Venkatesh Iyer
RR vs RCB: Captains take at the toss
RR skipper Riyan Parag spoke about the conditions after opting to bowl first. He mentioned that the surface was expected to be dry, but recent rain could play a role early on.
“It was supposed to be a dry wicket, but it has been raining for the last couple of days and rained a bit today as well. So there's going to be a little moisture. We're trying to extract it, but seems like a really good wicket.”
On the other hand, RCB captain Rajat Patidar spoke about the return of Josh Hazlewood and the impact he brings to the side.
“Everyone knows Josh is an experienced player, a specialist. His presence will definitely put us in a good frame of mind.”
