RCB vs RR Preview | RCB vs RR IPL 2025 Match 42 Preview | Preview, Fantasy Picks, Pitch and Weather

Home Woes Continue for RCB – But Is This the Turning Point?

RCB’s unbeaten away form has carried them into the top half of the IPL 2025 table, but their inability to win at home stands out like a sore thumb. At the Chinnaswamy, their power-packed top order has misfired due to unpredictable pitches and tough toss losses. Rajat Patidar, captaining this season, hasn’t won a single toss at home, often forced to bat without clarity on what a par score looks like. Virat Kohli has responded with pragmatism, playing the anchor role to hold innings together, helping RCB avoid early collapses.

RCB's top three Phil Salt, Kohli, and Padikkal will have to absorb pressure early, especially against Jofra Archer, who has been lethal in PowerPlays. This is where Kohli’s maturity comes into play, understanding when to drop anchor and when to accelerate. Their bowling, although sharp away from home, needs to find rhythm at Chinnaswamy. Spinners have especially struggled here, picking up just one wicket in 15 overs across home games.

RR’s Losing Streak and the Leadership Challenge

Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, are in a spiral. Four losses on the trot have left them searching for momentum, and the absence of Sanju Samson only compounds their troubles. Riyan Parag has led the side in his absence, but it’s a tough ask for someone still finding consistency with the bat. In their last two matches, RR failed to chase sub-9 targets in the final over, highlighting the nerves and lack of execution in crunch moments.

RR's PowerPlay performance has been a rare positive. They’ve averaged nearly 70 runs in the first six overs, losing the fewest wickets among all teams. But that early surge often doesn’t translate into strong finishes. Shimron Hetmyer, once their finisher-in-chief, has underwhelmed with just 115 runs from eight innings. Their death-over bowling, leaking over 12 runs per over, is the second-worst in the league.

Virat Kohli RCB IPL 2025 – Anchor With a Mission

Kohli’s evolution this season speaks volumes of his cricketing IQ. In a T20 era driven by strike rates, he’s chosen to adapt to conditions, shifting into a role he once tried to distance himself from the sheet anchor. This has been necessary at Chinnaswamy, where losing too many early wickets has been a theme for RCB. His unbeaten half-centuries in all of RCB’s successful chases this year prove that adaptability still matters in modern T20s.

Facing RR’s attack, particularly with Sandeep Sharma out of form, Kohli will again be key in soaking up pressure. RCB may rely on Tim David and Shepherd to explode in the last five overs, but Kohli’s ability to guide them through the middle overs will likely define their total.

Chinnaswamy Pitch and the Dravid Factor

The pitch at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been less forgiving this season. It has slowed down, resembling conditions seen in 2017, and punished batsmen trying to force the pace. Rahul Dravid, RR’s head coach, knows this surface inside out. His insights could be invaluable as RR try to break their slump. With 15 wickets falling in PowerPlays here across just three games, it’s clear that early overs are where the tone is set.

RR might even consider replacing Sandeep Sharma with left-armer Kwena Maphaka to target RCB’s right-hand-heavy lineup. If they win the toss, expect them to bowl first without hesitation.

RCB vs RR IPL 2025 – A Pivotal Clash for Both Sides

With RCB hoping to fix their home form and RR desperate to arrest a losing streak, Match 42 is set to be a high-stakes encounter. The head-to-head stands narrowly in RCB’s favor at 16-14, and they recently beat RR convincingly in Jaipur. This match at the Chinnaswamy is not just about two teams battling for points it’s about asserting intent as the playoff race heats up.

A Kohli special or a Jaiswal blitz? Archer’s fire or Hazlewood’s discipline? The answers will unfold under Bengaluru’s evening sky.