Dasun Shanaka To Replace Shimron Hetmyer? RR's Strongest XI vs RCB for IPL 2026, Match 16

RR Predicted XI vs RCB [Source: AP]

The two unbeaten teams from the IPL 2026, the Rajasthan Royals and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, take on each other at the Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati, on April 10, at 7:30 PM (IST).

RR is coming off a 27-run win over the Mumbai Indians in the shortened game, where RR scored 150/3 in 11 overs, courtesy of the orange cap holder, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Everyone in the bowling department contributed equally, with Sandeep Sharma finishing as the best bowler with 2/26 (3).

RCB have also been clinical in IPL 2026 as the defending champions so far, winning against SRH by 6 wickets and CSK by a big margin of 43 runs, thanks to contributions from everyone in the team.

As the teams fight it out for momentarily claiming the top spot on the points table, we explore RR’s predicted XI for the clash.

RR Likely Playing XI vs RCB- IPL 2026, Match 16

Top Order: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk)

The most destructive opening partnership of IPL 2026, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, will continue rattling the opponents at the top of the RR Playing XI vs RCB. They have stitched 225 runs together in three innings at a strike rate of 212.16.

Jaiswal is the orange cap holder with 170 runs at 163.46, and the 15-year-old has scored 122 runs at a whopping 248.94 in 3 games each.

Dhurv Jurel, with 95 runs in his new batting position, including a 75 (42), will continue to bat at 3 and also be the wicketkeeper in the RR Playing XI vs RCB. He has been instrumental in helping captain Riyan Parag in making some key decisions in the tournament so far.

Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s IPL Story: How Did Rajasthan Royals Find Bihar’s Miracle Boy

Middle-order and All-rounders: Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja

The new full-time RR skipper, Riyan Parag, has been impressive with his decisions and tactics so far in IPL 2026, while only getting to bat for 25 balls yet. He has scored 42 runs at a strike rate of 168 in the limited opportunities.

He will be followed by Shimron Hetmyer, who has come to the tournament in form but is yet to get substantial chances to finish games this season. Donovan Ferreira, with his reputation of relentlessly attacking, will be at 6, with over 2500 T20 runs at a strike rate of 167.13.

The last batter in the RR Playing XI vs RCB will be Ravindra Jadeja, who will be a crucial bowler after his 2/18 against the Chennai Super Kings. With the bat, he can add finishing touches to the innings as well.

Bowlers: Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma

The effective pace bowling unit will be led by Jofra Archer, who has picked 3 wickets in 3 innings, conceding only 7.40 runs per over this season. He will be partnered in the RR Playing XI vs RCB by Nandre Burger, who is among the top-5 wicket-takers this season with 5 scalps in 3 innings at an economy of 8.44. Archer can also swing the long handle and get crucial boundaries, if needed.

Following Tushar Deshpande’s last over heroics against the Gujarat Titans earlier this season, finishing with 1/24 (3), he has solidified his place in the team for the foreseeable future. The IPL veteran, Sandeep Sharma, who is closing in on 150 wickets after 139 innings, will complete the RR Playing XI vs RCB. He has picked 3 in 3 this season and can bowl across phases.

Ravi Bishnoi is the current purple cap holder with 7 wickets so far in IPL 2026 after coming to RR following a torrid season with the Lucknow Super Giants. He is the most likely candidate to come in as an impact player.

RR Playing XI vs RCB: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma