RCB vs RR IPL 2025 Match 42 Preview: Playing XI Prediction, Pitch Report & Dream11 Fantasy Team!

Get ready for RCB vs RR IPL 2025 Match 42! Check predicted Playing XI, Chinnaswamy pitch report, key player battles, and expert Dream11 fantasy tips for today’s crucial clash.

RCB vs RR IPL 2025: High Stakes Clash at the Chinnaswamy!

Get ready for a Thursday night blockbuster! Match 42 of IPL 2025 pits Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This isn’t just another league game; it’s a crucial encounter with significant implications for both teams. RCB, flying high in away games but winless at home this season, desperately needs to break their Chinnaswamy jinx to solidify their top-four position. Conversely, RR, reeling from four consecutive losses and missing their skipper, must win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.  

This RCB vs RR IPL 2025 Match promises drama, key player battles, and strategic masterstrokes. Let’s dive deep into the preview, predicted lineups, pitch conditions, and fantasy tips!

Match Preview & Head-to-Head (H2H)

• Match: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Rajasthan Royals, Match 42, IPL 2025  
• Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025  
• Time: 7:30 PM IST
• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru  

RCB enters this contest sitting 4th on the points table (5 wins, 3 losses), largely thanks to their impeccable away form. They convincingly defeated RR in the reverse fixture earlier this season in Jaipur. However, their three home games have ended in defeat, a worrying trend skipper Rajat Patidar is keen to reverse.  

RR finds themselves in a precarious 8th position (2 wins, 6 losses). Their campaign has stuttered badly, marked by agonizingly close defeats in their last two matches where they failed to chase down gettable targets in the final over.

H2H Stats:

• Overall: Played: 32 | RCB Won: 16 | RR Won: 14 | No Result: 3  
• At Chinnaswamy: Played: 9 | RCB Won: 3 | RR Won: 4 | No Result: 2

Historically, it’s been closely contested, but RR surprisingly holds a slight edge at RCB’s home ground.

Major Team News: Samson OUT, Parag to Lead RR

The biggest news is the absence of RR’s regular captain, Sanju Samson. He has not traveled with the squad as he continues to recover from an abdominal injury sustained last week. Young all-rounder Riyan Parag will step in as the stand-in captain for this crucial fixture. This is a significant blow to RR’s batting lineup and leadership. RCB has no reported injury concerns and is expected to field a similar XI.

Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report & Weather

Traditionally a batting paradise known for high scores and sixes, the Chinnaswamy pitch has behaved differently in IPL 2025.  

• Behavior: More balanced, offering assistance to both pacers and spinners. It hasn’t been the flat track of previous years.
• Average Score: The average first-innings score has been around 175-180 recently.
• Toss Factor: Teams winning the toss have often opted to bowl first. However, scores above 180 have proven defendable. Setting a target seems viable if executed well. Spinners like Krunal Pandya and Wanindu Hasaranga could play crucial roles.
• Weather: Expect a hot evening in Bengaluru (around 32°C dropping to 27°C) with clear skies. Significant rain interruption is unlikely. Dew might be minimal.

Predicted Playing XI – RCB vs RR

Here’s a look at the probable lineups for tonight’s encounter:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Predicted XI:

1. Phil Salt (WK)
2. Virat Kohli
3. Devdutt Padikkal
4. Rajat Patidar (C)
5. Jitesh Sharma
6. Tim David
7. Romario Shepherd
8. Krunal Pandya
9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
10. Josh Hazlewood
11. Yash Dayal

• Probable Impact Player: Suyash Sharma (likely to come in for a batter like Padikkal if RCB bowls first, or vice-versa).

Rajasthan Royals (RR) Predicted XI:

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
2. Vaibhav Suryavanshi (14-year-old opener)
3. Nitish Rana
4. Riyan Parag (C)
5. Dhruv Jurel (WK)
6. Shimron Hetmyer
7. Wanindu Hasaranga
8. Jofra Archer
9. Maheesh Theekshana / Kwena Maphaka
10. Sandeep Sharma
11. Tushar Deshpande

• Probable Impact Player: Shubham Dubey (likely to substitute in for a bowler like Deshpande if RR bat second, or vice-versa).

Key Players to Watch

• RCB: Virat Kohli (consistent run-scorer), Phil Salt (explosive opener), Rajat Patidar (captain’s knock due?), Josh Hazlewood (pace spearhead), Krunal Pandya (spin control & lower-order hitting).
• RR: Yashasvi Jaiswal (needs to anchor the innings), Riyan Parag (added responsibility as captain), Wanindu Hasaranga (key all-rounder), Jofra Archer (needs to make an impact), Dhruv Jurel (talented finisher).

RCB vs RR Dream11 Fantasy Team Prediction

Crafting the perfect Dream11 team requires balancing form, pitch conditions, and player roles. Here’s a sample team based on current analysis:

RCB vs RR Dream11 Team:

• Wicketkeepers: Phil Salt, Dhruv Jurel
• Batters: Virat Kohli (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal (VC), Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal
• All-rounders: Krunal Pandya, Wanindu Hasaranga
• Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Jofra Archer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Captain & Vice-Captain Choices:

• Captain (C): Virat Kohli (Reliable run-scorer, good form, plays well under pressure).
• Vice-Captain (VC): Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR’s main batting hope, scored well against RCB last time, aggressive opener).

Alternative Picks: Phil Salt (explosive potential), Riyan Parag (captaincy might elevate his game), Wanindu Hasaranga (wicket-taking spinner and handy batter), Josh Hazlewood (consistent wicket-taker).

Disclaimer: Fantasy sports involve an element of financial risk and may be addictive. Please play responsibly and at your own risk. This team is based on current analysis and player form; actual performance may vary. Make your own informed decisions.

Match Prediction

Given RCB’s overall form (despite home struggles), their settled bowling attack, and RR’s current losing streak compounded by Samson’s absence, Royal Challengers Bengaluru start as favorites to finally break their home jinx tonight. However, RR possesses individual match-winners who could turn the game if they click collectively under Riyan Parag’s leadership. Expect a competitive match on a potentially tricky Chinnaswamy surface.

Don’t miss the action tonight at 7:30 PM IST!