IPL 2020 Highlights, RCB vs RR Match, Full Cricket Score: Kohli, Padikkal star as Bangalore beat Rajasthan

And with a boundary off the first ball of the last over, RCB has sealed this match. Full toss from Curran and de Villiers beat the mid on fielder to hit the boundary. RCB win their third win in four games. Beat Royals by 8 wickets. They also move to the top of table.

After 19 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 154/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 72 , AB de Villiers (W) 8)

Running has soaked energy out of even Kohli. He has been there for a long time. Tells you how hard it is in the hear out there. Even the fittest ones are being tested. But not much left to be done. Just 1 needed in the last over..

After 18 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 147/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 68 , AB de Villiers (W) 5)

Curran back on and Kohli with his trademark off drive for four runs to start the over. Both ABD and Kohli, as usual, running hard between the wickets. Kohli finishes with over with two stunning shots to bring the equation to: 8 off 12.

FOUR! Kohli gets behind the line, on this short ball, and hits it to square leg boundary for back to back boundary.

FOUR! Short and wide, Kohli stands tall and reaches for the ball and hits it to third man for four runs.

FOUR! What a shot, Curran comes back on, fuller in length, Kohli steps out and drives it through mid off for four runs.

After 17 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 131/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 53 , AB de Villiers (W) 4)

Gopal back on. AB de Villiers has joined Kohli in the middle. Would it have been better for likes of Gurkeerat and Sundar to have a go with the bat with Kohli at the other end? Or Maybe RCB want to finish it quickly without any more hiccups to maintain a good NRR, which will be crucial in this edition, considering how tight the competition has been so far. Royal Challengers Bangalore need 30 runs in 23 balls.

After 16 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 124/2 ( Virat Kohli (C) 50 , AB de Villiers (W) 0)

Archer back on and and Padikkal starts the over with a boundary hit to third man. Also, Tewatia and a couple of others aside, RR have been ordinary in the field. You expect a better show defending such a low total. Padikkal goes overboard against Archer to lose his wicket. Can’t give Archer clear view of all stumps and expect to better of him. RCB lose their second wicket but they are on their way to the target. Royal Challengers Bangalore need 31 runs in 24 balls.

OUT! Padikkal is gone. Archer bowls right in the hole from around the wicket, Padikkal made room but he ended up watching his stumps castled. Time out also called. Devdutt Padikkal b Jofra Archer 63(45)

FOUR! Archer comes back on, Padikkal makes room and cuts it away for four to third man.

After 15 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 118/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 58 , Virat Kohli (C) 50)

Rahul Tewatia is back into the attack. Consistent bowling changes from Smith as he looks for wickets. Kohli hits one hard back at him and it almost got stuck in Tewatia’s hands. Kohli completes his fifty as well, his first in IPL 2020. RCB dugout is happy. RCB cruising. Royal Challengers Bangalore need 37 runs in 30 balls.

SIX! Wow, Kohli steps out of the crease, reaches to the pitch of the ball and clears the straight boundaries easily.

After 14 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 107/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 56 , Virat Kohli (C) 41)

Jofra Archer back on. Good over from him but still no wicket. Padikkal attempted a pull and almost fetched a wicket for Archer though with ball falling short of Samson at mid-wicket. Just 3 off it. Royal Challengers Bangalore need 48 runs in 36 balls.

Devdutt Padikkal becomes the first player score three 50-plus scores in first four matches in IPL.

After 13 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 104/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 54 , Virat Kohli (C) 40)

Riyan Parag, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack. Kohli is growing in confidence, stepping out freely and clearing the ropes as well with ease. Game looks done and dusted for RR here until someone comes up with some magic. 13 off the over. Royal Challengers Bangalore need 51 runs in 42 balls.

SIX! And now goes big, Parag bowls fuller this time, Kohli hits it over deep extar cover for a maximum.

FOUR! Kohli steps out of the crease, Parag bowls it short and Kohli stil is able to connect the ball and hit it to long extra cover boundary for four runs.

After 12 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 91/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 54 , Virat Kohli (C) 29)

Jaydev Unadkat back into the attack. Padikkal, who was stuck in the 40s, has now completed his third fifty in IPL 2020. A very good shot, a delicate touch for a boundary to get to his fifty. Captain at the other end is very happy. Nine off the over. RCB has this one under control. Royal Challengers Bangalore need 64 runs in 48 balls.

FIFTY! Delicate nudge by Padikkal off Unadkat and he gets to another half-century in IPL 2020. Good shot and good knock so far as well.

After 11 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 82/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 47 , Virat Kohli (C) 27)

Tewatia continues. Huge LBW against Kohli. The bowler was excited but umpire Gaffaney turned it down. Smith decided against going for review. RCB happy to take singles and doubles at the moment. Padikkal is three short of scoring another fifty. Royal Challengers Bangalore need 73 runs in 54 balls.

After 10 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 77/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 46 , Virat Kohli (C) 23)

Gopal back on and about time as well. He has bowled well and Smith wants another breakthrough from him. Also, how good Tewatia has been in the game in the field, saved a certain boundary two overs earlier and in this over as well, dived to stop one. Good all-round performance from him so far. It was a quiet over. Six off the over.

After 9 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 71/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 42 , Virat Kohli (C) 21)

Tewatia cotninues. Kohli slowly coming back to form. Tewatia hit for four runs at the start of over, Came back well to give just after it. Seven off the over. RR need a wicket here. Royal Challengers Bangalore need 84 runs in 66 balls.

FOUR! Kohli uses strong wrists as he hits this short ball for four runs to square leg boundary. He is coming back.

After 8 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 64/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 40 , Virat Kohli (C) 16)

Curran continues after the first time out in the chase. Padikkal’s innings is giving enough time for his captain to settle down here and take his time before he accelerates. He needs some time Kohli. And this is the kind of situation he needed. Should make most of it. Padikkal is 40 off 24 and Kohli is catching up slowly. Nine off the over.

FOUR! Trademark Kohli, fuller slightly from Curran, he steps out, maintains his shape and drives it through cover for four runs.

After 7 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 55/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 38 , Virat Kohli (C) 9)

Rahul Tewatia, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack now. Kohli is happy to rotate strike and give more balls to Padikkal right now. As bizarre as this sounds, Padikkal is a better bet to score quick runs among the two, considering the current form. Time out called. Just five off the over.

After 6 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 50/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 36 , Virat Kohli (C) 6)

Tom Curran, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack now, to bowl the last over in the powerplay. Padikkal hits one in the air straight down the ground, got high on him and he failed to connect but it landed in safe region. He collects a four two balls later with a short-arm pull. Two boundaries in the over. 11 off the over. RCB reach 50 at the end of powerplay.

FOUR! Width given by Curran and Padikkal smashes it over point region for four more.

FOUR! Short and slower from Curran, Padikakal uses wrist to hit it to deep backward square leg for four runs.

After 5 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 39/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 25 , Virat Kohli (C) 6)

Gopal continues. Padikkal takes a single off the first ball to give strike to Kohli, who collects his first boundary courtesy a short ball from the leggie. Just seven from the over.

FOUR! Bad ball, actually very poor, half tracker googly from Gopal, Virat rocks back and pulls it away for four to deep square leg boundary.

After 4 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 32/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 23 , Virat Kohli (C) 1)

Archer back on, Padikkal collects one more boundary off him in the over. Exchange of smiles between Kohli and Archer as the batsman leaves one to the keeper. He has not had a good run in IPL 2020 so far Kohli and Archer knows that. Let’s see how Kohli copes with excellence in RR bowling. Just five runs off the over.

FOUR! Archer comes back on, strays down the leg stump and Padikkal tucks it away for four runs beating the short fine leg

Kohli v Gopal in IPL:

Runs – 24
Balls – 12
Dismissals – 3

Gopal v RCB in IPL:

Wickets – 12
Eco. – 5.02
Average – 5.6
SR – 6.7

After 3 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 27/1 ( Devdutt Padikkal 18 , Virat Kohli (C) 1)

Alright, Smith quickly turns to Shreyas Gopal, right-arm leg break. His record against RCB is good. And he has delivered as well, removing Finch. Kohli has joined Padikkal in the middle and another epic contest begins between him and Gopal who has a good record against the India captain. A wicket and Seven runs off the over.

OUT! Finch gone! What a review from Smith and Gopal, the leggie bowled a wrong’un, Finch swept but missed it and the ball hit the front leg, umpire Chris Gaffaney turned it down, RR went upstairs and the ball tracker suggested that the ball was hitting the stumps. Two reds actually made the decision easy for the third umpire. 
Finch lbw b Shreyas Gopal 8(7)

FOUR! Finch makes huge room, Gopal follows him but he still pulls it away for four runs to the on side.

After 2 overs,Royal Challengers Bangalore 20/0 ( Devdutt Padikkal 16 , Aaron Finch 4)

Jaydev Unadkat, left-arm fast medium, comes into the attack and a bad start for him here. Poor delivery to start things off, times so well for six by Padikkal, few balls later, short ball and Padikkal pulled him away. He is looking good and Bangalore are not looking for a modest start here. They are going after the bowlers. Fifteen off the over. Unadkat better find his right length.

FOUR! Dropped short by Unadkat and Padikkal was up to the task, he goes on back foot and pulls it away for four through mid-wicket.

SIX! WOW! Padikkal at his best, Unadkat bowls on his legs and he just beautifully times it over long on boundary for a six.

After 1 over, Royal Challengers Bangalore 5/0 ( Devdutt Padikkal 1 , Aaron Finch 4)

Archer completes the first over. Pace on the ball. Padikkal collects single off the first ball and opens his and team’s account. Finch tries to go big on the leg side on  the first ball he faces and gets beaten. Archer continues to nip it back from good length to him, which has always been an area of concern for Finch over the years. But he comes back well to collect a four at covers. Five off the over.

FOUR! Room for Finch, he shifts weight to back foot and goes over covers to collect a boundary. RCB’s first.

Alright, we are back with the chase. Aaron Finch (RHB) and Devdutt Padikkal (LHB) out in the middle. Players sip in juices and other fluids before coming out to the centre and rightly so, it is very, very hot out there. Jofra Archer, right arm fast, to bowl the first over.

RCB need to 155 win!

After 20 overs,Rajasthan Royals 154/6 ( Rahul Tewatia 24 , Jofra Archer 16)

RR finish on 154/6, may be just short of the par score. 15 from the final over with two sixes for Tewatia. Archer and Tewatia did well towards the end to add some quick runs but bulk of the scoring was to be done by top and middle order but they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Execellent bowling performance by RCB.

SIX! Excellent improvisation by Tewatia. Shuffled across, and dragged the full toss from off to deep square leg for a maximum. Gurkeerat got a hand to it but couldn’t cut off the maximum.

SIX! Tewatia is alright, he is ready to bat and takes revenge with a massive six over backward square leg fence. Huge shot off the free-hit.

Tewatia has got hit on his head here, most probably from a beamer from Saini. Hopefully he is alright. Small break in the match.

After 19 overs,Rajasthan Royals 139/6 ( Rahul Tewatia 11 , Jofra Archer 15)

Udana bowls the penultimate over. 10 from the over with a six for Archer, who just smoked the short ball over cow corner. There was a chance for a run out when Tewatia almost ran up to the striker’s end and Archer didn’t respond but Udana couldn’t take advantage.

Jofra Archers hits a boundary every 2 balls in death overs this IPL.

SIX! So much power behind that shot. And it went flat out. Low bounce on that short ball from Udana and Archer clobbers it over mid-wicket fence

After 18 overs,Rajasthan Royals 129/6 ( Rahul Tewatia 10 , Jofra Archer 6)

A smoking welcome for Saini. The first ball has been dispatched beyond square leg fence by Tewatia for a six. Saini gets his act together and bowls few good deliveries. The last ball, however, was a full toss that Archer inside-edged to fine leg fence for a boundary. Keeper ABD also saved a certain boundary in the over with a fantastic dive to his right.

FOUR! Full toss. Archer throws his bat and the inside-edge gets past the short fine leg fielder for a boundary

Rahul Tewatia’s SR in death overs in IPL is 180.0

SIX! Saini welcomed back into the attack with a maximum by Tewatia. He made full use of the pace and flicked the legside delivery over square leg

After 17 overs,Rajasthan Royals 116/6 ( Rahul Tewatia 2 , Jofra Archer 1)

Chahal is a master of his art but also very intelligent. The first ball of the over was smoked over the mid-wicket fence for a six. Lomror was roaring but Chahal changed his line, bowled full and wide, away from Lomror, who ends up misting his shot to long off fielder. 10 from the over but an important wicket. Jofra Archer is in the middle now.

OUT! Lomror c Devdutt Padikkal b Chahal 47(39) 

Brilliant bowling by Chahal. Lomror has been targeting that mid-wicket area, so Chahal decided to go away from the arc. Bowled full and wide and Lomror ends up giving away a catch to long off fielder.

SIX! What a lovely shot. Lomror gets onto his knees and slog sweeps Chahal over cow corner for a 81m long six

After 16 overs,Rajasthan Royals 106/5 ( Mahipal Lomror 40 , Rahul Tewatia 0)

Lomror prefers the spinners is a point that commentators have made on air and you can see the proof of that in this over. A full toss first up by Udana on his return to attack, but Lomror just cuts it on off for a single.Seven from the over and the wicket of Parag. He departs after holing one out at long on. Wanted to place the pull shot to mid-wicket fence but failed to control his shot and had to go back to his hut.

OUT! Riyan Parag c Finch b Udana 16(18) 

Second wicket for Udana. He wanted to go squarer with the pull shot but could never control the shot and mistimed it to the long on fielder.

After 15 overs,Rajasthan Royals 99/4 ( Mahipal Lomror 37 , Riyan Parag 13)

You can feel that the pitch is not conducive for stroke making, may be Kohli and ABD would make us feel like fools but that is case for now. It’s a used pitch also…or may be all that we wrote would be proven wrong by Lomror. He puts on his dancing shoes and clears the long on fence against Chahal. The next delivery is also powerfully slapped down the ground but only a single from that. 10 from the over.

SIX! Lomror with another big hit, really big. He shimmied down as Chahal tossed up the ball and comfortably cleared the long on fence

After 14 overs,Rajasthan Royals 89/4 ( Mahipal Lomror 30 , Riyan Parag 11)

Sundar back into the attack. His 4-over spell is over. Just 20 from those overs. Four runs from this over. No wickets for Sundar but he has been disciplined, cramping batsmen for room. Strategic timeout taken.

After 13 overs,Rajasthan Royals 85/4 ( Mahipal Lomror 28 , Riyan Parag 9)

Okay, so Zampa is back into the attack. May be Udana would only get one over from here. Eight runs from the over. Parag got a boundary in the over with a straight drive after Zampa erred with the length, and bowled in the slot.

FOUR! In the slot. Very full by Zampa, and Parag drills it down the ground, past the bowler for a boundary

After 12 overs,Rajasthan Royals 77/4 ( Mahipal Lomror 26 , Riyan Parag 3)

Zampa has been expensive and Kohli is looking at Shivam Dube to get some overs out of him. A decent start for the medium pacer. Just four runs from the over. The pitch looks slow and RR have already lost the cream of their batting. It’s looks difficult that they would reach the par score here, which should be 160-170.

After 11 overs,Rajasthan Royals 73/4 ( Mahipal Lomror 24 , Riyan Parag 1)

It seems like we jinxed the partnership. Uthappa is gone and the partnership is over. Uthappa needed to score some quickly and that forced him into attacking Chahal’s tossed d up delivery, but the timing was not there and long off took the catch gladly. Riyan Parag is the new man in. Three from the over.

OUT! Uthappa c Udana b Chahal 17(22) 

Uthappa’s painful stay in the middle is over. He needed to up the ante and decided to attack the tossed up delivery by Chahal, but mistimed the shot and ended giving away a catch at long off.

After 10 overs,Rajasthan Royals 70/3 ( Robin Uthappa 17 , Mahipal Lomror 22)

Saini into the attack. Nine from the over including a boundary for Lomror. He was quick to create room by clearing his leg as he dispatched the short ball to long off fence. The rebuilding job has been pretty decent by Uthappa and Lomror. The partnership is currently 39 off 35.

FOUR! Shorter delivery from Saini and Lomror was quick to clear his front leg to create room and drilled the ball down the ground, beating the mid off fielder to add a boundary

After 9 overs,Rajasthan Royals 61/3 ( Robin Uthappa 15 , Mahipal Lomror 15)

In the domestic circuit, Lomror is know for being aggressive, so naturally he wasn’t going to stay quiet for long. Spotted a loopy delivery from Zampa and smoked it over cow corner for a maximum. The ball went missing and forced umpires into taking the strategic timeout. Zampa finishes the over after the break. 11 from the over.

SIX! Only 20, but Lomror has a reputation for hitting big shots. And he just showed why! A clean slog-sweep over cow corner against Zampa

After 8 overs,Rajasthan Royals 50/3 ( Robin Uthappa 13 , Mahipal Lomror 6)

A quick and decent over for Sundar. Two singles collected by Uthappa and Lomror each. There wasn’t much wrong with the bowling. 50 up for RR.

After 7 overs,Rajasthan Royals 46/3 ( Robin Uthappa 11 , Mahipal Lomror 4)

Time for Adam Zampa. The leg-spinner starts off by giving away eight runs. Four singles and a boundary. Senior-man Uthappa has to take the responsibility to take RR to a good position and he’s trying out things. Attempted a slog shot but it only resulted into a push to long on, however, on the last ball he executed the slog down the ground perfectly and beat the long on fielder to add a boundary.

FOUR! Uthappa takes on the long on fielder. But manages to get the shot very straight and beat the folder for a boundary

After 6 overs,Rajasthan Royals 38/3 ( Robin Uthappa 5 , Mahipal Lomror 2)

Sundar called back into the attack. A shout for LBW in the over against Uthappa but the impact was outside off as the batsman attempted a sweep. Another sweep shot from him was just over the short fine leg fielder. In total, five from the over. Powerplay up.

After 5 overs,Rajasthan Royals 33/3 ( Robin Uthappa 1 , Mahipal Lomror 1)

You look at RR’s batting and think Buttler, Smith and Samson would get them any runs that they want but all three of them are out. All of them dismissed inside the powerplay, so it’s needless to stay RR are in trouble here. They need a superb effort from the middle and lower order. Samson is the guy to fall in this over as Chahal comes into attack. First ball, Samson cleared his front leg to drive the fuller delivery straight, but Chahal was quick to dive to his leg and takes an excellent catch. Lomror joins Uthappa. Two from the over.

Samson v Chahal in IPL:

Runs – 23
Balls – 29
Dismissals – 4

Chahal’s economy rate in PP overs in last two IPL seasons:

2018 – 5.85
2019 – 6.81

OUT! Samson c and b Chahal 4(3)

RR lose another wicket in the powerplay. The man in form, Samson departs for just four. He wanted to take the attack to RCB, played a drive straight to Chahal who dived to his left to take a fabulous catch off his own bowling. Umpires wanted to check whether it was clean or not and gave the decision in favour of Chahal.

After 4 overs,Rajasthan Royals 31/2 ( Sanju Samson 4 , Robin Uthappa 0)

Great over by Saini. Wicket-maiden. Dangerous Buttler departs after edging the fuller delivery from the pacer. Padikkal took an excellent low catch at first slip to remove Buttler. Robin Uthappa who has been struggling with form in this middle order role is out in the middle now. Terrific start for RCB.

OUT!  Buttler c Devdutt Padikkal b Navdeep Saini 22(12) 

Big wicket for RCB. Dangerman Buttler out, caught at first slip by Padikkal, who dives to his right excellently to take a low catch. Buttler undone by a fuller delivery. He was trying to play a drive but the outside edge flew to the slip fielder. Umpires wanted to have a relook for bump ball but Buttler started to walk away, he knew he was out.

After 3 overs,Rajasthan Royals 31/1 ( Jos Buttler (W) 22 , Sanju Samson 4)

Quite an over for Udana. He was hit for a six and four on first two balls of the over but eventually took the wicket of Smith before being hit for a boundary by Samason on his very first delivery. Buttler started the over with fireworks. One pull shot over long on fence, one pull shot to mid-wicket boundary. Took a single and gave the strike to Smith, who got out, chopped on, trying to drive a wide delivery but the balls are not bouncing enough. Samson comes out to bat and drives the first ball, handsomely, through cover. 15 off the over.

Jos Buttler’s SR against right-arm off-break bowlers in IPL is 143.6 in PP overs.

RCB have a 8-10 win/loss record against RR in IPL.

FOUR! Great shot on first ball by Samson. A lovely cover drive through off. RR need him to score big today

BOWLED! Smith b Udana 5(5)

Smith out, chopped on! There was width on offer and Smith threw his bat on it for a drive but the ball doesn’t rise enough, and takes the inside-edge to break the stumps.

FOUR! A boundary after hitting a six for Buttler. Another short ball and Buttler pulls it to mid-wicket area

SIX! What a lovely shot by Buttler. Udana bowls a short ball, there’s no pace and it sits up nicely for Buttler who smokes it over wide of long on

After 2 overs,Rajasthan Royals 16/0 ( Jos Buttler (W) 11 , Steven Smith (C) 5)

Kohli very quick to call Washington Sundar into attack. He starts off with a dot ball but the next delivery is swept past the short fine leg fielder for a boundary. All three of them have come in the same area. Three singles also added in the over.

FOUR! Buttler was quick to react to the short ball by Sundar. Swept it away past the fielder and once again a boundary through fine leg fence

After 1 overs,Rajasthan Royals 9/0 ( Jos Buttler (W) 5 , Steven Smith (C) 4)

Nine from the first over. Udana finds Buttler’s outside edge on the first ball but it goes to the first slip fielder after a bounce. The next ball. however. is clipped to fine leg fence for a boundary. Buttler in fact had shuffled across to clip the ball off pads. Takes a single with a push to cover. Smith’s inside-edge is beaten before he finds a boundary on leg with a nudge past short third man fielder.

FOUR! Another boundary through leg side. This was straight on pads by Udana and Smith just had to guide it through wide of short fine leg fielder

FOUR! First boundary of the match and it comes off Buttler’s bat. The ball was on middle but Buttler shuffled across to clip it off pads and beat the short fine leg fielder

Alright, time for live action!

Steve Smith and Jos Buttler will open for Rajasthan Royals. Buttler is on strike. Isuru Udana has the new ball for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

RCB Playing XI: Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers(w), Shivam Dube, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Washington Sundar, Isuru Udana, Navdeep Saini, Adam Zampa, Yuzvendra Chahal

RR Playing XI: Jos Buttler(w), Steven Smith(c), Sanju Samson, Robin Uthappa, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Tom Curran, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Mahipal Lomror, Jaydev Unadkat

Kohli: It’s dry heat but it’s not so bad. We are playing with the same XI. We also wanted to bat first. It’s good to see the youngsters doing the job for us.

Smith: We will bat first. It’s a day game and pretty warm here. We got one change, Lomror comes in for Ankit. Hopefully, we’ll put on a good show today. Ben is a quality player, adds to our squad once he’s here.

TOSS: Steve Smith wins toss, Rajasthan Royals have decided to bat first at Abu Dhabi

Pitch report by Ajit Agarkar and Deep Dasgupta: It is a used pitch. Might be on slower side. You can see patches where the ball has landed. There might be something for the bowler. It will become harder as the game progresses. 62 meter and 74 meter boundaries on two sides of the wicket. Par score 160 or 165.

Young Priyam Garg showed a lot of maturity in SRH’s impressive win over CSK last night, stroking his maiden IPL fifty in the process. Click here to read the analysis of the match.

Milestones approaching:

Virat Kohli is 70 runs short of 5500 IPL runs.
AB de Villiers is five catches away from 100 IPL catches.
Jos Buttler is 89 runs away from 1500 IPL runs.
Steve Smith needs 84 runs to complete 1000 IPL runs as captain.

Teams’ record at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi: 

RCB: Played 1, Lost 1
RR: Played 3, Won 3

RECAP: RR’s winning run comes to an end against KKR

RR succumbed to a 37-run win in their last match, against KKR. Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, who battled injuries in the last two seasons, claimed two wickets apiece, while Varun Chakravarthy also got two to restrict the Royals to 137 for 9 in 20 overs while chasing a target of 175.

RECAP: RCB clinch super over win over MI in their last match

RCB are coming off a big win against MI. The match which could be called the game of the season, at least for now. Batting first, RCB scored 201 with AB de Villiers shining with the bat. Ishan Kishan slammed 99 off 58 and Kieron Pollard scored 60 for MI as they leveled the score. The match was eventually decided in a super over with Navdeep Saini bowling a terrific over for RCB. 

In case you want to recap the match, click here to read the report.

Table watch:

Both RCB and RR are in the bottom half of the table. Rajasthan sit at the fifth spot while Bangalore occupy the sixth position in the league table. Both teams have four points from three matches. RR are ahead of RCB by net run rate. Today’s winner would go to the top of table, albeit temporarily.

Kohli’s RCB take on Smith’s RR as teams eye top spot

The dew factor will go out of the window but the searing heat will be an issue as Royal Challengers Bangalore take on a better prepared Rajasthan Royals in the first of the 10 IPL double-headers.

Having played their first two games at Sharjah, the smallest of the three venues, RR got their strategy wrong in the game against KKR in Dubai. The ground in Abu Dhabi too is on the bigger side and RR’s experience of playing in Dubai will help them take more informed decisions. RCB will also be making their first appearance at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Click here to read the match preview

Here’s at look at the squads of both sides:

RCB: Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers(w), Shivam Dube, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Washington Sundar, Isuru Udana, Navdeep Saini, Adam Zampa, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umesh Yadav, Dale Steyn, Parthiv Patel, Moeen Ali, Pawan Negi, Chris Morris, Pavan Deshpande, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Philippe, Shahbaz Ahmed

RR: Jos Buttler(w), Steven Smith(c), Sanju Samson, Robin Uthappa, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Tom Curran, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat, Ankit Rajpoot, David Miller, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Varun Aaron, Aniruddha Joshi, Manan Vohra, Andrew Tye, Shashank Singh, Mahipal Lomror, Oshane Thomas, Mayank Markande, Anuj Rawat, Kartik Tyagi, Akash Singh

Hello and welcome to our coverage of Match 15 of IPL 2020 between Royals Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals to be played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. RCB clinched a thriller in their last encounter while Royals were comprehensively beaten by Kolkata. Steve Smith’s team will be looking to stage a comeback in this game and get back to winning ways while Bangalore’s would be looking to continue the winning momentum. Stay tuned for more updates as we build up to the first encounter in today’s double-header.