When Royal Challengers Bengaluru play Chennai Super Kings on Sunday in Bengaluru, who have been hindered by Sanju Samson’s lackluster start and lack of potent bowling options, they will be very hopeful about winning their second straight IPL 2026 match.
After defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets in their opening match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28, RCB are well-rested.
Aside from that new body and mentality, RCB is now far superior to their opponents, a sharp contrast to the Chennaities’ former abundance of quality. RCB now enjoys that luxury. Under the direction of Virat Kohli, who has maintained his relevance in the era of range-hitting with an exquisite set of skills, they have a stable top order.
With his scorching 26-ball 61 against SRH, Devdutt Padikkal appeared to have awakened the inner white ball monster after a period of squandered ability. Rajat Patidar appeared to be content with his dual responsibilities of captaining the team and providing RCB middle-order with muscle.
However, RCB have significantly improved in bowling. The Bengalurueans have turned the tide, adding some deserving names and making their bowling impervious to the whims of the weather, which was formerly thought to be their weakness. Josh Hazlewood’s absence was supposed to hinder the reigning champions, but Jacob Duffy filled in with ease and destroyed the SRH top order with a three-wicket haul.
He seemed to have struck a chord with the Aussie, as evidenced by his bowling plan, which caused SRH batters to struggle with extremely precise short-pitched deliveries. Their bowling will be even more effective once Hazlewood returns, which might not happen in the game against CSK.
For Sunday’s game, the hosts may also consider substituting left-arm bowler Mangesh Yadav for Abhinandan Singh. Although they are not among the best T20 spinners, Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma have been useful to RCB with their stifling middle-over spells. Now, they will have to control CSK’s capable middle-order of Shivam Dube, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ayush Mhatre.
CSK bowlers must alter their plan in order to do change the script. Despite the aggressiveness of the batters, they have conceded 338 runs in 30.5 overs for just seven wickets in two games, which is completely unacceptable in the T20 format.
Even in the absence of any dew at Chepauk, their spinners, Noor Ahmad and Rahul Chahar, gave up 84 runs in eight overs between them against Punjab Kings on Friday.
Pacers Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, and Matt Henry have not yet achieved greatness. At the Chinnaswamy with its small boundaries, they will face a confident group of RCB batters.
While Chennai’s batting has some problems to resolve, starting with Samson’s form, RCB’s batting appeared to be in perfect shape early on. The T20 World Cup winner has already made 6 and 7, depriving CSK of their anticipated impressive start.
It’s only two games, of sure, but Samson must establish his rhythm as soon as possible to revitalize Chennai’s already lackluster campaign. Then, a game against cross-state rivals RCB is the best opportunity for him.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Probable XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (Captain), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (Wicketkeeper) Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma
Chennai Super Kings Probable XI: Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed
