IPL 2023 match preview: Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore

Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the latest encounter in the 2023 IPL

What's the match?

Rajasthan Royals take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2023 Indian Premier League.

When is it taking place?

The match is scheduled to start at 3.30pm local time (11am BST) on Sunday, May 14.

Where is the match being played?

The match will be played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

Who's got form?

This is a crucial clash between two teams who have their sights firmly set on the playoffs.

Rajasthan Royals currently sit third in a tight IPL table, having played a game more than Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are in sixth.

The Royals easily beat Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday night which helped to strengthen their position at the front of the playoff-chasing pack. Yashasvi Jaiswal hit the IPL's fastest 50 (off 13 balls) on his way to an unbeaten 98 as the Royals successfully chased down KKR's first innings total of 149. This came after the veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal set a new record as the IPL's leading wicket-taker. The win over KKR came at a crucial time as Rajasthan had lost their previous three games.

Royal Challengers Bangalore are in dire need of a win as they have lost their past two games, against Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. The latest loss to Mumbai Indians was especially bruising as Rohit Sharma's men easily reached their target of 200 off just 16.3 overs. During this innings all five RCB bowlers were hit for over 10 runs an over, including Wanindu Hasaranga whose four overs went for 53 runs.

^{Trent Boult removed Virat Kohli for a golden duck when these two sides met in April [Manjunath Kiran/Getty Images]}

What's the team news?

RCB will look to play Kedar Jadhav, the replacement for David Willey who has returned home, as an impact player again.

For the Royals, Joe Root is still waiting for his first outing with the bat in the IPL.

What's the key matchup?

Trent Boult will open the bowling to RCB's Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, a matchup which shows the IPL at its peak: one of the best ever white-ball bowlers taking on two of the best white-ball batters. Boult got Kohli out for a golden duck when these sides met in April.

Head-to-head record

Matches played: 28

Rajasthan Royals wins: 12

Royal Challengers Bangalore wins: 14

No result: 2

What's the weather forecast?

Temperatures could touch 40 degrees Celsius in Jaipur but thunderstorms may disrupt proceedings.

^{RCB are still in the hunt for the playoffs [Getty Images]}

What are the squads?

Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Jos Buttler, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Prasidh Krishna, Trent Boult, Obed McCoy, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, Kuldip Yadav, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, KC Cariappa, Jason Holder, Donavon Ferreira, Kunal Rathore, Adam Zampa, KM Asif, M Ashwin, Akash Vashisht, Abdul PA, Joe Root

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Faf du Plessis (c), Virat Kohli, Suyash Prabhudessai, Rajat Patidar (injured, Vijaykumar Vyshak), Dinesh Karthik, Anuj Rawat, Finn Allen, Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, David Willey, Karn Sharma, Mahipal Lomror, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood, Siddarth Kaul, Akash Deep, Reece Topley (injured, replaced by Wayne Parnell), Himanshu Sharma, Will Jacks (injured, replaced by Michael Bracewell), Manoj Bhandage, Rajan Kumar, Avinash Singh, R Sonu Yadav

What are the possible starting XIs?

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson, Joe Root, Devdut Padikkal, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sandeep Sharma, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Glenn Maxwell, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mohammed Sirag, Josh Hazlewood

What are the odds?

Rajasthan Royals are the favourites, with odds of 7/8. RCB are available at 68/67.

Prediction?

This is a really tough one to call. The Royals' convincing win over KKR and the outstanding performances from Jaiswal and Chahal may just give them the confidence needed to push on and win this game.

Where can I watch the game?

In the UK, Sky Sports have exclusive rights to this year's tournament, with matches available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.

Fans in India can watch all the action on Star Sports.

Elsewhere in the world, viewers in Australia can watch the IPL on Fox Sports while in New Zealand, Sky Sport will provide coverage.

Willow TV and Flow Sports will broadcast the tournament in the United States and the Caribbean, respectively.

Fans in MENA can catch the action on beIN Sports while in South Africa, SuperSport have the rights.

If you are watching from the Middle East, you'll be able to view the game on Times Internet.

People from Bangladesh can watch the game on Gazi TV.