Match 16 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) features the Rajasthan Royals (RR) facing the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Friday, April 10.
Both teams have started strong this season, entering the match undefeated. RR has won all three of their games, with their latest win against the Mumbai Indians at this venue. They achieved a 27-run victory in an 11-over match affected by rain, thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unbeaten 77 and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 39.
Meanwhile, RCB won decisively against Chennai Super Kings at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, securing a 43-run victory. Tim David was instrumental in this win, scoring 70 runs off just 25 balls.
Last season, RR and RCB met twice, with RCB winning both encounters. In one match, RCB chased down a target of 173 runs with nine wickets remaining, following solid performances from Phil Salt and Virat Kohli, who scored 65 and 62 not out, respectively.
This season, Barsapara Cricket Stadium has hosted two matches, both won by the home team. The pitch appears to offer good opportunities for both batters and bowlers, setting up an exciting matchup between RR and RCB.
Barsapara Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at Barsapara Cricket Stadium has proven to be excellent for batting this season. With both teams featuring strong power hitters, the side batting second might aim to chase a total over 200.
However, bowlers should not be overlooked. The forecast in Guwahati suggests overcast conditions and possible rain, which can benefit fast bowlers looking to exploit swing with the new ball.
IPL Stats and Records at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium
| Matches Played |
8 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 4 |
| Matches Won Batting Second | 3 |
| Matches With No Result | 1 |
| Matches Tied | – |
| Average First Innings Score | 146 |
| Highest Team Total | 199/4 |
| Highest Total Successfully Chased |
152 |
RR vs RCB Strategies and Match-ups
Both RR and RCB have strong opening partnerships that typically deliver quick starts, providing a solid foundation for their middle order. RCB holds a slight advantage in their lower order, featuring Tim David and Romario Shepherd, regarded as top finishers in T20 cricket. Conversely, RR benefits from a potent new ball attack, with Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger troubling the top orders of CSK and MI.
In their IPL history, RCB enjoys a slight edge over RR, winning 17 of their 34 encounters, including three of the last five meetings.