The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 continues its early-season intensity as Rajasthan Royals take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 16 on Friday.

With both teams yet to taste defeat this season, the contest promises to be a high-stakes clash between two in-form sides.

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Rajasthan Royals, led by Riyan Parag, have made a commanding start, winning all three of their matches to sit comfortably at the top of the points table.

Their performances have been marked by consistency across departments, with both batters and bowlers delivering under pressure.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, under Rajat Patidar, have also looked solid, registering two wins in two outings.

Currently placed third, RCB will be eager to extend its unbeaten run and challenge RR’s dominance at the top.

Head-to-head edge with RCB

Historically, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru hold a slight advantage in this rivalry. Out of 34 meetings between the two sides, RCB have won 17, while Rajasthan Royals have claimed 14 victories, with three matches ending without a result.

Pitch and conditions

The ACA Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati is expected to favour batters, especially in the first innings, with good pace and bounce on offer. However, as the game progresses, spinners could find assistance. Dew is likely to play a role in the second innings, making chasing a preferred option for captains winning the toss.

Team news

Both teams enter the fixture without any injury concerns, giving them the luxury of fielding their strongest XIs.

Rajasthan will bank on their explosive top order, including Orange Cap holder Yashasvi Jaiswal, while their bowling attack, featuring Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger, adds bite.

RCB, on the other hand, will look to their experienced core with Virat Kohli at the top and a balanced bowling unit led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and in-form Jacob Duffy.

Predicted playing XIs

  • Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Tushar Deshpande
  • Impact Player: Ravi Bishnoi
     
  • Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Phil Salt (wk), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy
  • Impact Player: Suyash Sharma

With both teams boasting firepower and momentum, the outcome could hinge on the powerplay battle and how well bowlers handle pressure in the death overs.