IPL 2026 | Match 16: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Preview and Predictions

Match 16 of the 2026 Indian Premier League season brings us to the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati for the last time this campaign with two unbeaten teams colliding as hosts and top of the table Rajasthan Royals welcome defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 10th. 

Indian Premier League 2026 | Match 16 : Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 19:30 IST, 10 April

Rajasthan Royals have made a strong start to IPL 2026, winning their first three games to move up to second on the points table. In their latest outing, they beat Mumbai Indians by 27 runs in a shortened 11-over match, putting up 150 and holding MI to 123 for nine.

Their batting unit has looked in good touch so far. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have formed an exciting opening pair, both capable of taking charge inside the powerplay. Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel bring some balance through the middle overs, while the flamboyant Shimron Hetmyer adds pace in that phase as well, which he showed last year in the IPL with a strike rate of 146.

The bowling unit has also done well. Jofra Archer has started strongly with three wickets so far, while Nandre Burger has chipped in with five, and both can trouble RCB early. Sandeep Sharma brings plenty of variation and can pick wickets in the middle overs, but the side could look to use him upfront given his strong numbers against Virat Kohli, having dismissed him seven times while conceding only 132 runs at an average of 19. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have started their season in strong fashion, beating Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings at home to move to the top of the table with confidence. In their previous outing, RCB outplayed CSK by 43 runs after piling up a huge 250 for 3. It was a dominant performance that set the tone early in the season.

RCB have had players stepping up across the board, with Virat Kohli scoring 97 across two games and Devdutt Padikkal piling up 111 in the same span. The top order now looks very strong with Kohli, Phil Salt, and Padikkal all batting well.

Rajat Patidar has also made an impact in the middle order, striking at 254 during the middle overs while Tim David brings serious firepower in the middle overs, which he showed in the last game with an unbeaten 70 from just 25 balls, including eight sixes.

In the bowling department, Jacob Duffy and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been excellent for RCB, picking up nine wickets between them and striking early. Their contest against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal could shape the game if one of them could remove Sooryavanshi early into the powerplay.

In terms of weather forecast and pitch report, there is a chance of passing showers or light rain in the vicinity, though winds are likely to remain light, meaning interruptions, if any, should be brief. Gauging by the last two encounters at this venue, if the batting team can negate the new ball, there’s plenty of runs to be had here. 

Looking ahead to this contest, barring any weather interruptions this game looks like the most exciting clash so far, with both teams unbeaten and playing at a level above the rest in the tournament. Rajasthan’s concern is their strong dependence on openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have both been in great touch. But if either of them falls early against RCB, their middle order could come under pressure, and that opens the door for the opposition.

RCB will want to carry on with their current approach, where their batters attack from the start and look to dominate the bowling, whether setting a total or chasing one down. Their bowling attack is strong enough to support that plan as well. This could turn into a tight game if Sooryavanshi and Jaiswal build a good start, but an early wicket for either could swing things heavily in RCB’s favour. Thus, we’re backing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to come out on top at Guwahati. 

Fantasy XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli (c), Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal (vc), Jitesh Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Romario Shepherd, Ravi Bishnoi, Jacob Duffy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nandre Burger 

Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

Winners Prediction: Rajasthan Royals