RR, SRH look to extend momentum in Jaipur curtain-raiser

Rajasthan Royals present a curious case when it comes to home advantage. Despite early success at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium (spotless records in 2008 and 2013), they have adopted two home grounds since the IPL returned to a home-and-away format post-COVID, including three home fixtures in Guwahati this year. They completed a clean sweep of CSK, MI and RCB, and have historically made the playoffs whenever they have a positive win-loss record in Jaipur.

Currently sitting with 10 points, RR return to winning ways after successfully defending 159 in Lucknow. A strong homecoming would solidify their top-half position, especially given their tendency to fizzle out after strong first halves in past seasons.

They face a Sunrisers Hyderabad side on a three-match winning streak (which began against RR). Captain Pat Cummins is set to return, bolstering SRH's bowling and lengthening their batting lineup.

Concerns linger over form of key batters – Travis Head and Riyan Parag haven't lit up the tournament yet. Both sides hope they deliver at the right time in what could be a potential four-pointer with playoff ramifications.

When: Saturday, April 25 at 19:30 IST

Where: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

What to expect: Sunny, scorching April day. Average first innings total at this venue in IPL 2025 was 198. Bigger boundaries and a low-bounce surface should keep skiddy bowlers interested.

Head to Head: SRH lead 13-9; they've won the last five meetings. In Jaipur, it's tied 2-2.

Injuries/Availability: No injuries in RR camp. Pat Cummins confirmed fit for return; Dilshan Madushanka likely to make way.

Tactics & Matchups:

• RR's openers have been patient since the early collapse against Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain. Expect them to attack more in the Powerplay.

• Ravi Bishnoi has dismissed Ishan Kishan four times in IPL (48 runs off 46 balls). He'll likely be introduced after the first wicket falls.

• SRH may unleash Praful Hinge again after his three-wicket opening burst in the Hyderabad fixture. Abhishek Sharma (SR 462.5) and Heinrich Klaasen (SR 210) are key to targeting Bishnoi and protecting Kishan from that matchup.

Probable XII – RR: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Riyan Parag (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Donovan Ferreira, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma, Sandeep Sharma

Probable XII – SRH: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Aniket Verma, Salil Arora, Pat Cummins (c), Harsh Dubey/Praful Hinge, Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain

Key Stats:

• Abhishek Sharma has two of the top five individual IPL scores, including the top two by an Indian batter. His four scores of 130+ are the most in this format (Chris Gayle and Aaron Finch have three each).
• Sakib Hussain hasn't conceded a six in 12 overs bowled in IPL 2026 – most overs without a six this season.
• RR have taken 18 Powerplay wickets in 7 games this season, two more than their entire IPL 2025 Powerplay tally.

Quotes:

"We just have to give ourselves 2-3 balls to understand how the wicket is going to play… we just look to watch the ball and play our game." – Ishan Kishan, SRH stand-in skipper

"The way I'm batting, an innings is not too far away… If they want me to go at 200 from ball one, I will do that." – Riyan Parag, RR captain