Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will lock horns in the 16th match of IPL 2026 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Thursday night, with both sides arriving unbeaten. The spotlight is expected to fall on Virat Kohli, but RR’s attacking start is likely to be just as crucial, led by openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal. In their most recent outing against Mumbai Indians, the pair put together an 80-run partnership for the first wicket in just five overs, helping a Riyan Parag-led unit go on to win by 27 runs.
Key takeaways
- Both Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have kept their records unbeaten as they meet in the 16th match of IPL 2026.
- RR are leading the table with three victories from three games, while RCB have won both of their matches so far.
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal struck an 80-run opening stand in five overs versus Mumbai Indians in RR’s last game.
- That partnership powered RR to a 27-run win over Mumbai Indians, with Riyan Parag named in the leadership group.
- RCB’s bowling has conceded at an economy rate above 10 in the ongoing season, setting up a stern test for them in this contest.
Unbeaten clash at Guwahati
Good evening and welcome to the live coverage as the Rajasthan Royals take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in match 16 of IPL 2026. The contest is poised as a top-versus-elite battle, with RR ranked first and RCB third in the standings heading into the game.
The venue for the encounter is Guwahati, where RR will play at their adopted home ground, the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Both teams have started the campaign strongly and enter the matchup without tasting defeat so far.
Rajasthan Royals occupy the top spot after collecting three wins from their first three outings. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, sitting third, have also made a perfect start with two wins from their opening two fixtures.
Key players and what to watch
While Virat Kohli is likely to be a major talking point throughout the evening, RR’s opening duo is equally set to be in the frame. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been among the tournament’s most influential factors for Rajasthan’s early momentum.
In RR’s previous match against Mumbai Indians, the youngsters combined for an 80-run stand for the opening wicket inside the first five overs. That rapid start gave the foundation for Riyan Parag’s side to build pressure, ultimately resulting in a 27-run win.
On the other hand, the bowling unit of Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been expensive this season, leaking runs at an economy rate above 10 so far. With RR’s openers in form and intent from the outset, RCB’s ability to contain the powerplay phase will be a key determinant tonight.
