IPL 2022 Qualifier 2, RR vs RCB - Key Players & Matchups

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Rajasthan Royals are set to take on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2nd Qualifier of IPL 2022 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday (May 27th). The winner of this match will square off against Gujarat Titans in the finals on Sunday (May 29th) at the same venue. 

While Rajasthan Royals are coming with a loss in the Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bangalore registered a thrilling win against Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator. 

The Royals haven't won the IPL trophy ever since their victorious campaign in the inaugural season, while Bangalore are yet to win their maiden IPL title. Needless to say, both the teams would be eyeing a win desperately to get a step closer to the prestigious title. 

Here are a few key players & matchups in the IPL 2022 Qualifier 2 RR vs RCB.

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1. Faf du Plessis vs Trent Boult

RCB skipper and leading run-scorer this season, Faf du Plessis has been dismissed by left-arm pacers six times in this season of the IPL inside the powerplay. Even against LSG in the Eliminator, yet another delivery moving across to him got the better of him for a golden duck in the very first over, by left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan. 

Rajasthan Royals pacer, Trent Boult, bowls majorly in the powerplay and is the third-highest wicket-taker for his team this season.

Boult has picked 14 wickets in 14 matches and has also dismissed Faf du Plessis four times in the T20s inside the powerplay. The Kiwi pacer would be eyeing this priced wicket for RCB inside the powerplay. 

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2. Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli & Dinesh Karthik vs Yuzvendra Chahal

Rajasthan Royals spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been topping the wicket-taking charts throughout the season and continues to wear the Purple Cap with 26 wickets in 15 matches. 

Du Plessis, Kohli & Karthik, all three have a strike rate of less than 100 against the former RCB player. Glenn Maxwell has shown some comfort in smacking the spinner and has scored 120 runs off 70 deliveries against Chahal. However, the Big Show has also been dismissed five times by the leggie. 

How Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on the mastermind spinner may very well dictate the outcome of the match. 

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3. Wanindu Hasaranga vs Sanju Samson

RCB spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is currently placed second on the leading wicket-takers list this season, with 25 wickets to his name in 15 matches and has been the key for RCB's control in the middle overs while bowling. 

Sanju Samson has a reputation for smacking quick & impactful knocks, and if he gets going can very well dismantle the RCB pace attack.

However, Wanindu Hasaranga has dismissed Sanju Samson five times for just 18 runs. It'd be a challenge for Samson to face off against the Sri Lankan in the middle overs.