Toss Decision and Strategy
In a crucial encounter during Match 16 of the IPL 2026, Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag has won the toss and opted to bowl first against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The toss occurred at 08:00 pm IST at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. This decision came after a period of rainfall, which left the pitch with some moisture. Parag explained his choice, stating that the team wants to take advantage of the conditions.
“We will bowl first. It was supposed to be a dry wicket, but it’s been raining, and there would be moisture in the wicket. We want to take advantage of it. We are playing good cricket, and hopefully we will continue doing it. All three wins are past, and it is important to focus on today’s game,” Parag said.
Player Lineups and Team Changes
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have made a notable change in their lineup, with Josh Hazlewood returning in place of Jacob Duffy. This move brings an experienced player into the team, which is expected to bolster their strength.
RCB’s captain, Rajat Patidar, welcomed the fans who traveled to support the team. “This is our first away game, and fans are making us feel at home. Thanks for your support, we love you. Jacob Duffy misses out, and Josh Hazlewood takes his place. Hazlewood is an experienced player, and his presence will make us feel strong,” he added.
Playing XIs for Both Teams
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
– Virat Kohli
– Phil Salt
– Devdutt Padikkal
– Rajat Patidar (capt)
– Tim David
– Jitesh Sharma (wk)
– Romario Shepherd
– Krunal Pandya
– Bhuvneshwar Kumar
– Josh Hazlewood
– Abhinandan Singh
RCB Impact Sub Options:
– Suyash Sharma
– Jacob Bethell
– Rasikh Dar
– Kanishk Chouhan
– Venkatesh Iyer
Rajasthan Royals:
– Yashasvi Jaiswal
– Dhruv Jurel (wk)
– Riyan Parag (capt)
– Shimron Hetmyer
– Donovan Ferreira
– Ravindra Jadeja
– Jofra Archer
– Sandeep Sharma
– Nandre Burger
– Brijesh Sharma
– Ravi Bishnoi
RR Impact Sub Options:
– Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
– Lhuan-dre Pretorius
– Ravi Singh
– Shubham Dubey
– Tushar Deshpande
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who won the toss today in the RR vs RCB Match 16 IPL 2026?
RR captain Riyan Parag has won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Q2: What was the toss time today?
The toss took place at 08:00 pm IST.
Q3: Why did the captain choose to bowl first?
Riyan Parag has decided to bowl first because of weather conditions.
Q4: Where is today’s match being played?
Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.
