Saturday 17th October sees another doubleheader in the IPL starting with Rajasthan Royals vs the Royal Challengers Bangalore. This is then followed by Dehli Capitals v Chennai Super Kings in what looks like an excellent day of cricket from the UAE.
If the Royals want to have any hope of qualifying for the later stages then they need to get a win here. If not they will have 5 games remaining at be at least two points from 4th, potentially four points and have the worst net run rate in the IPL. Do they have a chance to beat RCB today? We will have a look over the recent from and make our predictions.
RR v RCB Latest Odds
Odds taken from 22bet India – Join here
- Rajasthan Royals 21/20
- Royal Challengers Bangalore 8/11
The Challengers and a worthy favourite based on their form.
RR v RCB Betting Tips
Three tips for this game starting, as always, with our match prediction.
Match prediction – Rajasthan Royals to win 21/20
I can see clear value in backing the Royals to win this match at odds of 21/20. Whilst they sit 7th in the league they are clearly a capable team and have some stars amongst them. Ben Stokes returns to the team has shown his quality and with two games under his belt, he looks to be back in form. This should be the game where he really puts on a score.
Top Royals Batsmen – runs
- S Samson 227
- R Tewatia 203
- J Buttler 168
- S Smith 163
- J Archer 89
- T Curran 83
You can see the quality in the list above and then add Ben Stokes to that list. At 21/20 in today’s game, I can see the value in the Royals win despite them currently being 7th in the league. Archer is the main man with the ball and is currently 2nd in the tool wickets for the tournament on 12. We have seen him be a little on and off his line in some games. If he is on it here then the Royals will have every chance of taking wickets and keeping the scores down.
The Challengers last match was on Thursday where they got thrashed by the bottom of the table Kings XI Punjab. This really was a blow to a team who seemed to be performing well and getting a run together. In previous matches, we have seen how bad KXIP has been.
With the bat, RCB did okay posting 171/6. Captain Virat Kohli top-scored with 48. The innings was finished off well by Chris Morris who smashed 25 off 8 balls, including three sixes. At this point, we would have expected a comfortable win for RCB, but their bowling was a real let down.
The KXIP batsman all scored runs and hit sixes. KL Rahul was in top form and finished 61 not out carrying his bat through his innings. Agarwal supported him as an opened with 45 and then veteran Chris Gayle came in and got 53 before being run out close to the end. It was left to Pooran to hit the winning runs – a six on the last ball when they only needed a single to bring home the win in style!
What was alarming to watch was the performance of the bowlers who only took one wicket in twenty overs. Chahal took the wicket but was expensive at 11.67 runs per over, but not the worst. That embarrassment fell to Mohammed Siraj who posted an average 14.67 from three overs. This I why I feel the strength of batting from the Royals will see off the Bowling of the Challengers.
Tip 2 – Ben Stokes over 21.5 runs 5/6
Stokes is the leading light in English cricket at the moment and is a world-class T20 cricketer. In his last match, he hit 43 and averages way over 21 in T20 cricket around the world. At slightly under evens this looks to be an excellent bet.
Tip 3 -Aaron Finch top RCB batsman 11/4
As always Virat Kohli is the favourite in this market at 2/1 but that offers very little value for us. Finch has been playing well and getting runs at a steady level and looks the value pick at 11/4 in this market.
Other players in this market
- Kohli 2/1
- AB 13/5
- Finch 11/4
- Paddikkal 4/1
- Patel 5/1
- Philippe 13/2
- Ali 9/1
- Deshpande 9/1
- Dube 9/1
You can keep up with how our tips go on Twitter @CricketicsIndia