Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face off in a high-stakes clash as both teams look to extend their unbeaten runs in Match 16 of the Indian Premier League 2026. With both sides in dominant form, this contest promises to be one of the most competitive fixtures of the season.
Match details
Venue: ACA Barsapara Stadium
Date: April 10, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM IST | 7:00 PM PST | 2:30 PM GMT
Team overviews
Rajasthan Royals have been one of the standout teams this season, winning all their matches so far. Led by Riyan Parag, they have defeated top teams like Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, and Mumbai Indians. Their balanced lineup and consistent performances make them strong contenders.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have also enjoyed a perfect start to their campaign. Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, they have secured wins against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings. The team will aim to maintain their winning streak and challenge Rajasthan’s dominance.
Key players
For Rajasthan Royals, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shimron Hetmyer have been key contributors with the bat. With the ball, Sandeep Sharma has impressed with crucial breakthroughs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will rely on Virat Kohli, who will be eager to convert his starts into a big score. Support from Phil Salt and Tim David will be vital in building strong totals.
Head-to-head record
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have a slight edge in this rivalry, winning 17 out of 34 matches, while Rajasthan Royals have secured 14 victories. Three matches have ended without a result.
Pitch report
The surface at ACA Barsapara Stadium has shown signs of slowing down as the match progresses. In the previous game, the team batting first posted a big total, and the chasing side struggled to maintain the required momentum. This suggests that batting first could be advantageous, with totals above 200 proving challenging to chase.
Probable playing XIs
Rajasthan Royals (Captain: Riyan Parag):
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Captain: Rajat Patidar):
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy
Probable match scenarios
If Rajasthan Royals bat first, they are likely to aim for a total between 220 and 230. Their strong bowling unit can then defend effectively on a slowing pitch.
If Royal Challengers Bengaluru bat first, they could target a score in the range of 225 to 235. Their batting depth gives them the ability to post big totals and apply pressure.
Live streaming and broadcast
India: JioStar Network channels, JioHotstar app and website
Pakistan: Tapmad, local sports channels
UK: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Go
Australia: Fox Sports, Kayo Sports
Global: Official IPL broadcasters and digital platforms depending on region
Match prediction
Both teams are evenly matched with strong form and balanced squads. However, the team batting first is likely to have a decisive advantage given the pitch conditions. The contest is expected to be closely fought, with minimal margin separating the two sides.
