Match overview
Rajasthan Royals beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 6 wickets at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on 6 April 2024. Batting first, RCB posted 183/3, built around Virat Kohli's 113 not out from 72 balls. Rajasthan cantered home with 189/4, their middle-overs phase of 98 runs for 1 wicket doing the heavy lifting. Jos Buttler took the Player of the Match award. The result kept Rajasthan firmly on course in the IPL 2024 season and handed RCB a fourth loss in five matches.
Kohli's knock was the standout individual performance. He carried RCB's innings almost single-handedly, and a total of 183 on this ground is above the historical average first-innings score of 165 across 97 matches at the venue. Despite that, it was not enough. Rajasthan's batting depth and their familiarity with home conditions meant the chase never looked in serious doubt once the middle overs went their way.
RCB entered the fixture in poor form, having lost to Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders in their two previous outings. Rajasthan, by contrast, arrived on the back of consecutive wins over Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants.
Venue and conditions
Sawai Mansingh Stadium is a ground that generally rewards the side batting second. Of the 97 T20 matches played there, 64% have been won by the chasing team, and the average powerplay score is 46 runs. Both sides comfortably exceeded that mark: RCB scored 53 runs without loss in their powerplay, while Rajasthan managed 54 for 1 in theirs.
The average second-innings score at the ground is 153, so Rajasthan's 189/4 was a statement of batting depth rather than a comfortable stroll. The death overs (overs 16-20) average 39 runs at Sawai Mansingh; Rajasthan scored 37 in that phase, keeping wickets intact when it mattered. RCB's bowlers did manage to take 2 wickets in the death, but by that point the required rate had been made manageable by a dominant middle phase.
Rajasthan Royals won the toss and chose to field, which aligns with the ground's historical tendency: 60% of toss winners here have elected to chase. That read of conditions proved correct.
How to watch
IPL fixtures are broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports Cricket. Matches can be streamed via Sky Go for existing subscribers, or through a NOW TV day or monthly pass for those without a full Sky subscription. Given the time difference between the UK and India, most IPL matches start between 14:30 and 15:30 UK time for afternoon games, or around 19:30-20:00 UK time for evening fixtures. Check Sky's programme guide for confirmed broadcast slots.
Recent form
Rajasthan Royals came into this fixture with four wins from their last five matches, including victories over Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants in the 2024 season. Their only recent defeat was a loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore the previous year at Sawai Mansingh, which they reversed emphatically here.
RCB's form made for harder reading: three losses from four matches in the 2024 campaign before this game, with wins against Punjab Kings providing the only bright spot. The absence of early wickets in their powerplay bowling, combined with Rajasthan's free-scoring middle-overs batters, meant the platform Kohli built in the first innings was not enough to defend. RCB's next fixtures will need a more consistent bowling performance if the side is to arrest that run of losses.
