Josh Hazlewood Back, Jacob Duffy Out? RCB's Strongest XI For IPL 2026 Match 16 Vs RR

RCB strongest XI Vs RR [Source: AP]

Two unbeaten sides will collide on Friday as the hosts, Rajasthan Royals, will take on the defending champions, RCB, in an epic battle at the Guwahati Stadium. Both teams have played some extraordinary cricket in the tournament, and fans can expect a cracker of a contest between two evenly matched sides.

RR have won three in a row, while RCB have played two and won both IPL 2026 matches. However, the defending champions will surely not underestimate the Royals as Riyan Parag’s team has looked flawless so far.

RR Vs RCB Preview

The Rajasthan Royals had a new skipper before the start of the IPL 2026, and there were question marks on Riyan Parag’s captaincy ability. However, three matches into the new season, and he has been stupendous with his decision-making. Moreover, the team has looked danergous, especially the opening pair of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

The hosts would hope the opening pair can continue to dazzle in front of the RCB bowlers at their home ground. Talking about RCB, they have played two home games this season, and this would be their first away game of the IPL 2026.

Not too many changes would be made in their playing XI, barring one. Josh Hazlewood is fit, and he could be in line to play his first game of the season. With the riveting match on the cards, we take a look at RCB’s strongest XI vs RR.

RCB Strongest Playing XI Vs RR- IPL 2026

Openers and top order: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal

RCB has one of the most settled opening pairs in the IPL, with the aggressive Phil Salt opening alongside franchise legend, Virat Kohli. The duo has complemented each other since the last campaign, and the scary part for RR is that Salt has not even been at his best in IPL 2026.

The English batter scored 40 in the last match against CSK, but that was not his best knock by any means. RR would hope he doesn’t get to his best form against them. Alongside him, the ever-reliant Virat Kohli would hope to pile on some runs. This season, he has started aggressively, and RR bowlers will aim to get his wicket quickly.

At number 3 would be RCB’s best batter this season, Devdutt Padikkal. Such has been his form that RCB’s 7 crore buy, Venkatesh Iyer, has to warm the bench. Padikkal will come up against his former IPL franchise, and he’ll be eager to continue the run-scoring form.

Middle order and all-rounders: Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya

Arguably the best middle-order in the entire IPL, RCB has filled in the role with destructive batters, with each of them possessing the ability to strike at over 200. Captain Rajat Patidar has played two excellent cameos this season, and Tim David was RCB’s star in the last match against CSK.

In Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, and Krunal Pandya, the franchise has three outstanding finishers, and RR will need to be wary of them.

Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma

Jacob Duffy has been outstanding for RCB in the first two matches, picking wickets at regular intervals. However, his economy has been slightly on the higher side. Meanwhile, RCB can breathe a sigh of relief as Josh Hazlewood is fit and raring to go. If the franchise wants to unleash the Australian against Rajasthan, the only logical choice would be to replace him with Duffy.

Suyash Sharma, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were RCB’s best bowlers in the run-feast against CSK, last time around, and they’ll once again hold the key for the franchise against RR.

RCB predicted XI Vs RR- IPL 2026: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma

RR Vs RCB Impact Players List

RCB impact players list: Abhinandan Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Jacob Bethell, Mangesh Yadav

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