FANTASY
Follow UsAfter ten riveting days of cricket filled with all the drama, we are in the second week of the Indian Premier League with the Rajasthan Royals up against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in an evening encounter on Tuesday, 5th April, at the Wankhede stadium.
The two sides endured contrasting starts in this edition of the tournament as Rajasthan registered comprehensive wins in their first two games. On the other hand, Bangalore failed to defend 206 in the first game against Punjab Kings and edged past Knight Riders in a low-scoring match.
However, they will enter this game high on confidence after winning four out of their last five encounters against Rajasthan and will aim to produce a dominant performance against a team they enjoyed recent success.
SUGGESTED TEAM
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
GROUND DETAILS
In the six innings played thus far at the Wankhede stadium, the average first innings total is 142 runs and the highest target chased is 161 by the Gujarat Titans. With the ball, the pacers have scalped 24 out of the 32 wickets with four wickets per innings compared to 1.3 for the spinners.
One of the glaring issues in the three matches played at this venue in this edition is the dew factor, as the teams fielding second have struggled to defend their totals and lost all the games.
SUGGESTED CAPTAIN
Jos Buttler
One of the most destructive batters in this format of the game, Jos Buttler enthralled the fans with a sublime hundred against the Mumbai Indians in the last match to set up the win for the Royals.
In the IPL, the right-handed batter scored 1408 runs in 66 innings at a strike rate of 149.4 and will look to take the attack to the RCB bowling unit to help Rajasthan get off to a flying start.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Buttler to score runs 38-56 in this match.
X-FACTORS
Shimron Hetmyer
After scoring 35 off 14 deliveries against the Mumbai Indians, Shimron Hetmyer will be one of the key players in the middle overs for the Royals in the upcoming encounter.
In the 31 innings of the IPL, he has scored 584 runs at a strike rate of 158.3; however, in the two matches this edition, he has taken the attack to the opposition bowling unit from the get-go and scored at a strike rate of 248.2.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Hetmyer to score 36-54 runs in this match.
Wanindu Hasaranga
After a dismal IPL last season, Wanindu Hasaranga has started this season with a bang by scalping five wickets in the two innings, including a crucial four-wicket haul against the Knight Riders in the last encounter.
The leg spinner has a wealth of experience playing at the international level and will be the trump card for Faf du Plessis in their bid to counter the aggressive batting unit of the Royals.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Hasaranga to pick up 2-3 wickets in this match.
Yuzvendra Chahal
With 139 wickets in 112 innings, the leading wicket-taker for the Challengers in the IPL, Yuzvendra Chahal, will don the pink jersey in this edition of the tournament.
After plying his trade for the Bangalore based franchise for eight years, the leg spinner will set foot at the Wankhede, aiming to give the Royals crucial wickets in the middle overs and dent the scoring rate.
Our Criclytics player projector predicts Chahal to pick up 2-3 wickets in this match.
