IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s strongest predicted XI against Rajasthan Royals

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set to play their first away game of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) when they travel to Assam to face the Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Friday, April 10. 

The defending champions have picked up four points from their opening two matches of the new season and are currently one of three sides yet to taste defeat. They come into their game against the Royals on the back of an emphatic 43-run win over arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings in Bengaluru. Tim David’s heavy-hitting was the highlight of the night, scoring an unbeaten 70 from 25 balls, an innings comprising eight sixes.

RCB had some excellent batting displays. Apart from the aforementioned David, skipper Rajat Patidar scored 48 not out of just 19 balls while Devdutt Padikkal hit yet another half-century.

In the bowling department, Bhuvneshwar Kumar took three wickets to surpass 200 scalps in his IPL career. Meanwhile, Jacob Duffy, Abhinandan Singh and Krunal Pandya chipped in with two wickets each.

An in-form and unbeaten side like RCB have little to no reason to make any drastic changes to their side heading into their game against RR. The side which took them to two wins from as many games should persist in Guwahati barring any unfortunate injuries.

Here is RCB’s strongest predicted XI vs RR, Match 16, IPL 2026:

Top Order: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal

The RCB top three is one of the best in this year’s IPL, and for very good reason. Virat Kohli has scored 97 runs from two matches, including a match-winning 69 not out against the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening game of the season.

Devdutt Padikkal, meanwhile, has scored two half-centuries from two games at a strike-rate of 201.81. The only one yet to fire is opener Phil Salt. But it is only a matter of time before the Welsh-born batter comes good for RCB.

Middle Order: Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya

RCB’s middle order is the team’s engine room, with the batters taking over the excellent start provided by the top order and taking it to another level. Both Rajat Patidar and Tim David are striking at 254.83 and 245.71, respectively.

Romario Shepherd, meanwhile, is yet to showcase his finishing prowess this season. The West Indies international, however, scored a strike-rate of 291.66 during RCB’s title-winning season last time around.

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy

Despite not having the services of Josh Hazlewood just yet, RCB’s bowling has still looked strong. Jacob Duffy has already taken five wickets in two matches, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar has taken four.

The pair are supported brilliantly by Abhinandan Singh, along with Krunal Pandya and Romario Shepherd. The latter has taken three wickets in the IPL so far.

RCB’s predicted playing XI vs RR in Match 16, IPL 2026:

Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (C), Jitesh Sharma (WK), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy

Impact Player: Suyash Sharma