RCB vs RR Dream11 Prediction, IPL 2025 Match 42: Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing XI, Pitch Report & Player Stats
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is heating up, and Match 42 promises a blockbuster clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. With RCB aiming to break their home jinx and RR desperate to revive their playoff hopes, this match is a fantasy cricket enthusiast’s dream. In this detailed RCB vs RR Dream11 prediction, we cover fantasy cricket tips, probable playing XIs, pitch analysis, key player matchups, and the best Dream11 team to help you dominate your fantasy leagues.
Match Overview: RCB vs RR, IPL 2025 Match 42
- Date & Time: April 24, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
- Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, BengaluruLive
- Broadcast: Star Sports Network (India), Sky Sports (UK)
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar (India), Sky Go (UK)
- Head-to-Head: RCB 16 wins, RR 14 wins, 3 no-results (33 matches)
RCB, sitting third with 5 wins in 8 games, are unbeaten on the road but winless at home (0/3). Their batting, led by Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, has been formidable, while their bowling unit, with Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, ranks as the second-most restrictive in IPL 2025. RR, languishing at eighth with only 2 wins in 8 matches, are on a four-match losing streak and missing captain Sanju Samson due to injury. Riyan Parag takes the helm, but RR’s inconsistent batting and lackluster bowling (worst strike rate in the tournament) make this an uphill battle.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is a paradise for batters, known for its short boundaries and lightning-fast outfield. Here’s what to expect:
- Pitch Nature: Flat, batting-friendly surface with true bounce. Average first-innings score in IPL since 2022 is 193, though this season’s rate is lower at 7.90 RPO due to slight bowler assistance.
- Toss Factor: Chasing teams have won 53 of 94 IPL matches here, compared to 41 for teams batting first. Dew in evening games favors the side batting second.
- Weather: Clear skies, 28°C, with winds at 10–12 km/hr. No rain expected.
Fantasy Tip: Load up on top-order batters and death bowlers. Pace bowlers with new-ball skills (e.g., Hazlewood, Archer) can exploit early swing, while spinners may struggle unless they vary their pace.
RCB vs RR Head-to-Head and Recent Form
Recent Form:
- RCB: WLWLW (5 wins, 3 losses). Strong batting and bowling, but home struggles persist.
- RR: LLLLW (2 wins, 6 losses). Back-to-back heartbreak losses (failing to chase 9 runs in the final over twice) and Samson’s absence hurt morale.
Fantasy Insight: RCB’s balanced squad and recent dominance over RR make them favorites. RR’s reliance on Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jofra Archer could yield points, but their inconsistency is a risk.
Probable Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Rajat Patidar (c)
- Liam Livingstone
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Tim David
- Krunal Pandya
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Josh Hazlewood
- Yash Dayal
Impact Sub: Suyash Sharma / Romario Shepherd
Rajsthan Royals
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Nitish Rana
- Riyan Parag (c)
- Dhruv Jurel (wk)
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Shubham Dubey
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Jofra Archer
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Tushar Deshpande
Impact Sub: Akash Madhwal / Sandeep Sharma
Note :RR’s lineup is weakened without Samson, and their bowling lacks depth. RCB’s batting depth (down to No. 8) gives them an edge.
Key Player Matchups to Watch
1) Virat Kohli vs..Concurrent Jofra Archer
- Stats: Kohli has faced Archer for 72 balls in T20s, scoring 90 runs at a strike rate of 125 without being dismissed.
- Fantasy Impact: Kohli’s anchor role (322 runs, avg. 64.40, 4 fifties) makes him a safe captaincy pick, but Archer’s powerplay threat (8 wickets, 6.25 economy) could challenge him early
2) Phil Salt vs. Maheesh Theekshana:
- Stats: Salt has scored 62 runs off 36 balls against Theekshana at a strike rate of 172.2 but been dismissed once.
- Fantasy Impact: Salt’s aggressive starts (65 off 32 in last RR game) make him a must-pick, especially on a flat pitch
3) Yashasvi Jaiswal vs. Josh Hazlewood:
- Stats: Jaiswal has smashed 55 runs off 21 balls against Hazlewood at a strike rate of 261.9 but been dismissed twice.
- Fantasy Impact: Jaiswal’s powerplay prowess (160.8 strike rate since 2023) is crucial for RR, but Hazlewood’s 12 wickets (avg. 20.17) make this a high-risk, high-reward battle.
4) Riyan Parag vs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar:
- Stats: Parag has scored 36 runs off 17 balls against Kumar at a strike rate of 211.8, undismissed.
- Fantasy Impact: Parag’s dual role (batting + captaincy) boosts his fantasy value, but Kumar’s swing bowling could exploit RR’s shaky middle order.
Fantasy Tip: Prioritize players involved in these matchups for captain/vice-captain roles, as they’re likely to influence the game’s outcome
Dream11 Fantasy Team for RCB vs RR
- Wicketkeepers: Phil Salt (vice-captain), Jitesh Sharma
- Batters: Virat Kohli (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rajat Patidar, Tim David
- All-rounders: Krunal Pandya, Wanindu Hasaranga
- Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Jofra Archer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Captain: Virat Kohli (anchor, consistent runs)
- Vice-Captain: Phil Salt (explosive starts, loves Chinnaswamy)
Alternative Picks
- High-Risk, High-Reward: Riyan Parag (if he bats higher), Liam Livingstone (big-hitting potential)
- Differential: Devdutt Padikkal (local boy, due for a big score), Tushar Deshpande (death bowling)
Top Fantasy Picks for RCB vs RR
1) Virat Kohli (RCB, Batter):
- Why Pick? 322 runs in 8 innings, avg. 64.40, strike rate 140, 4 fifties. Unbeaten 73* in last game.
- Role: Anchors chase, thrives at Chinnaswamy.
2) Phil Salt (RCB, Wicketkeeper):
- Why Pick? 65 off 32 vs. RR earlier, aggressive powerplay batter. Suits high-scoring venue.
- Role: Explosive opener, bonus wicketkeeping points.
3) Josh Hazlewood (RCB, Bowler):
- Why Pick? 12 wickets in 8 matches, avg. 20.17, powerplay economy 6.6. Competes for Purple Cap.
- Role: New-ball wicket-taker, contains RR’s openers.
4) Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR, Batter):
- Why Pick? 75 off RR’s 173 in last RCB game, powerplay strike rate 160.8 since 2023.
- Role: RR’s main hope, can exploit short boundaries.
5) Jofra Archer (RR, Bowler):
- Why Pick? 8 wickets in 8 games, powerplay economy 6.25. Dangerous against RCB’s aggressive openers.
- Role: Key pacer, potential death-over specialist.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for RCB vs RR
Maximize Batters: Chinnaswamy’s flat pitch and short boundaries favor top-order batters like Kohli, Salt, and Jaiswal.
Powerplay Bowlers: Pick pacers like Hazlewood and Archer, who excel with the new ball.Captaincy Choices: Kohli (safe, consistent) or Salt (high-risk, high-reward) are ideal for small leagues. Jaiswal is a Grand League gamble.
Avoid Spinners: Spinners like Theekshana and Hasaranga may leak runs on this batting-friendly track unless they bowl in the middle overs.
Toss Strategy: If RR win the toss and bowl first, their bowlers could struggle to contain RCB’s batting. Adjust your team accordingly post-toss.
Conclusion
The RCB vs RR clash in IPL 2025 Match 42 is set to be a run-fest at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with RCB holding the edge due to their balanced squad and RR’s ongoing struggles. For Dream11 fantasy cricket, focus on RCB’s in-form batters (Kohli, Salt) and bowlers (Hazlewood, Kumar), while RR’s Jaiswal and Archer remain risky but rewarding picks. Use our fantasy cricket tips, player matchups, and Dream11 team suggestions to build a winning lineup.
