IPL 2015, Match 22, RR vs RCB: Players to watch out for

New Delhi: Match 22 of IPL 2015 takes us to the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad as home team Rajasthan Royals (RR) go up against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

RR's exceptional form has seen them top the table so far this season, while RCB's inconsistency has seen them drop to the foot of the table, one place above MI.

Ever since the inception of IPL in 2008, matches between these two sides have been keenly contested, with a 7-6 head-to-head record in favor of RR.

Shane Watson's side has dominated this encounter in recent times, beating RCB in all their last three meetings.

Despite the presence of cricketing heavyweights in their side, Virat Kohli's team has failed to make a mark in this edition of the IPL.

As the Royals take on RCB in an attempt to further consolidate their lead at the head of the table, we highlight a key player from each side who could swing this match in his side's favour.

Mitchell Starc (RCB)

Mitchell Starc missed the first three matches of RCB in 2015. On returning to side against CSK in Match 20, the Aussie picked up a wicket and conceded 24 runs in his 4-over quota. His superlative show at the World Cup, where Starc finished as tournament's highest wicket-taker (22), makes him the best bowler in the world on current form. The left-arm pacer finished with 14 wickets in 14 matches in IPL 7, thereby proving his mettle on the Indian wickets. Against RR, Virat Kohli will expect his premier pacer to derail the in-form batting line-up comprising of Rahane, Watson and Smith.

Ajinkya Rahane (RR)

Ajinkya Rahane, with 305 runs, leads the pack of highest run-getters in IPL 2015. The opener has been remarkably consistent this year, having already scored 3 fifties in 6 matches. Rahane has been one of the main reasons behind RR's stunning form in this edition. Along with the likes of Watson and Smith, the Mumbaikar has provided a solid platform for the middle-order of the Rajasthan franchise. Against RCB, Rahane will once again play a pivotal role as he has to negotiate the dangerous Mitchell Starc in the initial overs of the match.

Key stats

RCB have lost at least 7 wickets in all their matches this season.

Ajinkya Rahane is one of the three players to register 5 consecutive scores of 45 or more in IPL history