IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals’ strongest predicted XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad

After playing three matches in Guwahati, Rajasthan Royals (RR) return to their official home at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur to take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match 36 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday, April 25. 

RR come into the game on the back of a convincing 40-run victory over the Lucknow Super Giants in Uttar Pradesh. It was a welcome win for the 2008 champions, who had suffered two consecutive defeats before their triumph at the Ekana Stadium. Riyan Parag’s side is currently second in the standings, having picked up 10 points from seven matches. 

RR’s playing XI has heavily relied on their top order and new-ball bowlers. However, there have always been healthy contributions from their middle order and spin options. 

Here is RR’s strongest predicted XI vs SRH, Match 36, IPL 2026:

Top Order: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk)

RR have one of the best opening combinations in the league this season in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The latter is usually his side’s designated Impact Sub whilst chasing. The opening duo has scored 499 runs between them, with the 15-year-old currently the leading runs-scorer whilst striking at 220.86.

Dhruv Jurel, on the other hand, is the third-highest scorer for RR after the opening pair. He has scored 181 at a strike-rate just shy of 170.

Middle Order: Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja

The Royals’ middle order desperately needs runs to make sure that they are complementing the high-scoring top order. Both captain Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer have scored just 81 and 61 runs, respectively, so far.

Ravindra Jadeja had an excellent outing with the bat against LSG, scoring an unbeaten 43 off 29 balls, including 20 off the last over. He has also taken six wickets at an economy rate of just 6.71.

Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma

Bowling has also been a strong suit for RR, apart from their top order. Jofra Archer is currently his side’s joint-highest wicket-taker with 11 scalps to his name, including a three-wicket haul in Lucknow last time around.

Ravi Bishnoi also has 11 wickets from seven matches so far this season. The spinner, however, has been a little expensive, going at an economy of 9.26. Nandre Burger, meanwhile, is not far behind with eight wickets.

RR’s predicted playing XI vs SRH in Match 36, IPL 2026:

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma

Impact Player: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi