Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2025: Three Key Battles To Watch Out For

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) would want to strengthen their play-off qualification chances when they meet Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Thursday. (Full Coverage | Points Table | Cricket News)

The game is important for both teams. RCB will try to get their sixth win and become only the third team this season to reach 12 points. For RR, every game is a must win game from now on. They can not afford a loss.

RR were comprehensibly defeated by RCB in the reverse fixture a week back.

Below are the three most important match-ups from the upcoming RCB vs RR fixture.

Phil Salt vs Jofra Archer

Phil Salt rode his luck against Jofra Archer in the first meeting of these two teams a week back. However, Salt cashed in on that early luck and smashed 65 off 33 to take his team to a one-sided victory. Archer will be better prepared this time and RR would want him to strike early to send back the dangerous Salt. Archer has dismissed Salt 15 times in T20s but has also leaked runs at 165.8.

Virat Kohli vs Wanindu Hasaranga

Virat Kohli is once again in the race for Orange Cap and will look to continue his march towards it against a slightly weak RR bowling attack. One big weapon in RR attack who has not performed that well this season is Wanindu Hasaranga. If Hasaranga can weave his magic with his leg spin, Kohli could have a tough time accelerating in the middle overs. But given the form of both the players, Sri Lankan will be facing an uphill battle against Kohli.

Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Josh Hazlewood

Yashasvi Jaiswal has found some form in the last few games but the left-hander is still a bit far from his best. He will once again be tested by Hazlewood's pace and bounce. The M Chinnaswamy surface will make it even tougher for Jaiswal and Josh Hazlewood will have the upper hand. However, if Jaiswal can take on Hazlewood as he once did in his early years in IPL, RR can blunt the biggest threat in RCB attack.