RCB Makes Tactical Change Ahead of Crucial Match
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have made a strategic adjustment to their playing XI for their third match of the Indian Premier League 2026 against the Rajasthan Royals on April 10. The decision involved dropping Jacob Duffy from the team and bringing in Josh Hazlewood, who has recently recovered from an injury and is now fit enough to play.
Hazlewood, known for his consistency and experience, was a key figure in RCB’s successful campaign in 2025, where he played a crucial role in securing the title. His return to the starting XI is seen as a significant boost for the team.
“Jacob Duffy misses, and Josh Hazlewood returns to the team. Duffy has done well for us, but Hazlewood is an experienced player, and his presence makes us strong,” said RCB captain Rajat Patidar, highlighting the importance of having a seasoned bowler in the squad.
Rajasthan Royals Opt for Bowling First
On the other hand, Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Riyan Parag won the toss and opted to bowl first against the in-form Bengaluru side. This decision comes after several days of rain, which has left the wicket with some moisture.
“We are bowling first, as it has been raining for a few days, and there is moisture in the wicket, and we want to take advantage of it. The wicket was on the drier side, but it changed because of rain,” Parag explained.
Parag also praised the performances of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, acknowledging their contributions to the team’s success so far.
“I am happy with the way they are playing and contributing to the success of the team,” he added.
Despite their recent three-match winning streak, Parag remains grounded and focused on the current game.
“We have won three matches, but it is in the past. Our coach Kumar Sangakkara told us to focus on today’s game,” he revealed, showing a clear mindset for the upcoming challenge.
Key Players in Both Teams
The lineups for both teams reflect their strengths and strategies:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
– Virat Kohli
– Phil Salt
– Devdutt Padikkal
– Rajat Patidar (capt)
– Tim David
– Jitesh Sharma (wk)
– Romario Shepherd
– Krunal Pandya
– Bhuvneshwar Kumar
– Josh Hazlewood
– Abhinandan Singh
RCB Impact Sub Options:
– Suyash Sharma
– Jacob Bethell
– Rasikh Dar
– Kanishk Chouhan
– Venkatesh Iyer
Rajasthan Royals:
– Yashasvi Jaiswal
– Dhruv Jurel (wk)
– Riyan Parag (capt)
– Shimron Hetmyer
– Donovan Ferreira
– Ravindra Jadeja
– Jofra Archer
– Sandeep Sharma
– Nandre Burger
– Brijesh Sharma
– Ravi Bishnoi
RR Impact Sub Options:
– Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
– Lhuan-dre Pretorius
– Ravi Singh
– Shubham Dubey
– Tushar Deshpande
Current Form and Expectations
With Rajasthan Royals having won three consecutive matches and Royal Challengers Bengaluru remaining unbeaten in their two games so far, this match promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams will be looking to build on their momentum and secure a vital win in the ongoing IPL 2026 season.
