RR vs LSG Dream11 Prediction – IPL 2026 Match 45

Rajasthan Royals host Lucknow Super Giants in Match 45 of IPL 2026 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on 20 April 2026. This evening fixture features two of the most destructive openers in IPL history — Jos Buttler and Quinton de Kock — on opposite sides. Chahal's leg-spin on the dry Jaipur surface against Pooran's Caribbean power creates a fascinating tactical contest. Here is your complete Dream11 guide.

Match Overview

Match: RR vs LSG, IPL 2026 — Match 45 Date: 20 April 2026 Time: 7:30 PM IST (Toss at 7:00 PM IST) Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur Weather: Hot evening, temperature 32–36°C. Clear skies. No rain expected. Light dew possible after 9 PM.

Jaipur's dry surface is tailor-made for spin bowling, and RR's attack led by Chahal will look to exploit this. LSG must navigate the spin challenge with de Kock's aggressive approach and Pooran's power-hitting providing their best counter-strategy.

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Pitch Report — Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium offers a batting-friendly surface with increasing assistance for spinners.

Key pitch characteristics:

• Good batting surface: Even bounce and pace reward proper cricketing shots
• Spin factor: The dry Jaipur conditions make the ball grip and turn, especially after the 10th over
• Light dew: Not as heavy as coastal venues, but enough to slightly ease batting in the second innings
• Average first innings score: 170–180
• Bowler strategy: Spinners are crucial in the middle overs. Pace bowlers should vary lengths and use slower balls

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Team Analysis

RR — Form & Key Players

Recent form: RR have been excellent at home in Jaipur, with Chahal's spin proving decisive in each victory.

Key players to watch:

• Jos Buttler — The Englishman has multiple IPL centuries at Jaipur. His ability to take on spin makes him extraordinary
• Sanju Samson — Captain who scores consistently at home with aggressive intent and excellent strike rotation
• Yuzvendra Chahal — The Jaipur specialist. His leg-spin on this dry surface is the most potent weapon in the IPL
• Shimron Hetmyer — Left-handed power-hitter who finishes innings with devastating effect

Injury updates: Full squad available. Jofra Archer expected to bowl full quota.

Strengths: Buttler's home record, Chahal's spin dominance, balanced bowling attack Weaknesses: Middle-order depth, over-reliance on Buttler in big chases

LSG — Form & Key Players

Recent form: LSG have been inconsistent, with batting collapses against spin being a recurring concern.

Key players to watch:

• Quinton de Kock — Explosive opener who attacks from ball one. His ability against spin in the powerplay is strong
• Nicholas Pooran — Caribbean power-hitter with the ability to clear any boundary
• Ravi Bishnoi — Leg-spinner who can challenge RR's batters on this turning surface
• Avesh Khan — Pace bowler who brings wicket-taking ability in the powerplay

Injury updates: Full squad available.

Strengths: De Kock's aggression, Pooran's finishing, Bishnoi's leg-spin Weaknesses: Batting against quality leg-spin, middle-order consistency, death bowling

Head-to-head: RR have won 4 of 6 recent encounters against LSG. RR dominate at Jaipur.

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Dream11 Best XI (₹100L Budget)

Role	Player	Team	Price	Points Potential
WK	Sanju Samson	RR	₹10.5L	50–75
WK	Quinton de Kock	LSG	₹11L	50–80
BAT	Jos Buttler	RR	₹12L	55–85
BAT	Nicholas Pooran	LSG	₹9.5L	40–65
BAT	Shimron Hetmyer	RR	₹8.5L	35–55
ALL	Ravi Bishnoi	LSG	₹8.5L	35–55
BWL	Yuzvendra Chahal	RR	₹10L	50–75
BWL	Jofra Archer	RR	₹9.5L	40–60
BWL	Avesh Khan	LSG	₹8L	30–50
BWL	Sandeep Sharma	RR	₹7.5L	30–45
BAT	Mohsin Khan	LSG	₹7.5L	25–45

Total: ₹100L | Total Players: RR (6) + LSG (5)

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Captain & Vice-Captain Picks

Primary Captain: Jos Buttler (RR)

Why: Buttler at Jaipur is a guaranteed run-scorer. His ability to play long innings of 80-100+ on this surface, combined with his record of multiple IPL centuries at this venue, makes him the undisputed number one captain. Expected fantasy points: 85–140.

Secondary Captain: Quinton de Kock (LSG)

Why: De Kock's aggressive opening approach ensures rapid fantasy points. Even if the pitch turns, his powerplay scoring against pace gives him a high floor. Expected fantasy points: 70–115.

Vice-Captain 1: Yuzvendra Chahal (RR)

Why: Chahal on a dry Jaipur surface is a fantasy goldmine. His leg-spin consistently yields 2-4 wickets with excellent economy, translating to 50-75 fantasy points.

Vice-Captain 2: Sanju Samson (RR)

Why: Samson's aggressive intent at home, combined with his wicketkeeping points, makes him a reliable VC with a safe floor of 30-40 points.

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Playing 11 Prediction

RR Predicted XI

1. Jos Buttler
2. Sanju Samson (c & wk)
3. Shimron Hetmyer
4. Riyan Parag
5. Dhruv Jurel
6. Ravichandran Ashwin
7. Jofra Archer
8. Sandeep Sharma
9. Yuzvendra Chahal
10. Trent Boult
11. Avesh Khan

LSG Predicted XI

1. Quinton de Kock (wk)
2. Devdutt Padikkal
3. Nicholas Pooran
4. Ayush Badoni
5. Marcus Stoinis
6. Deepak Hooda
7. Krunal Pandya
8. Ravi Bishnoi
9. Mohsin Khan
10. Avesh Khan
11. Naveen-ul-Haq

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Expert Tips

Toss Impact

• If RR win toss: Will bat first to set a total on a deteriorating surface
• If LSG win toss: May also bat first to avoid chasing on a turning pitch

Strategy Tips

1. Buttler is the must-captain at Jaipur with his extraordinary home record
2. Chahal is the premium bowling pick — his Jaipur numbers are elite
3. Go 6-5 towards RR for home advantage and spin conditions
4. De Kock provides LSG counter-balance — his powerplay aggression is unmatched
5. Moderate scoring expected — balanced picks between batters and bowlers work best

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who should be captain in RR vs LSG Dream11 team? A: Jos Buttler for his Jaipur dominance. Quinton de Kock is the LSG alternative. For Grand Leagues, Yuzvendra Chahal's bowling returns offer a differential.

Q: Can Pooran handle spin on this surface? A: Pooran can struggle against quality leg-spin on turning tracks. However, his power means he can clear boundaries even off mishits. He is high-risk, high-reward at Jaipur.

Q: Is Ravi Bishnoi worth picking? A: Bishnoi offers leg-spin value on the turning Jaipur surface. His economy and wicket-taking on dry tracks make him a solid budget pick for Dream11.

Q: What is the expected total at Jaipur? A: Expect 170-185 batting first. Spin makes the second innings harder, so 175+ is a competitive total.

Q: Should I pick more RR or LSG players? A: Go 6-5 towards RR. Their home advantage and Chahal's spin at Jaipur give them a clear edge.

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Match Prediction

Predicted Winner: RR

Reasoning:

• RR's home advantage at Jaipur is dominant
• Chahal's spin on a dry surface is the ultimate weapon
• Buttler's Jaipur record gives RR a batting edge
• LSG's spin-playing weakness is a concern

Expected winning margin: 18–25 runs (if defending) or 5 wickets (if chasing) Toss prediction: Both teams prefer batting first on a deteriorating surface

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Key Takeaways for Dream11 Players

1. Buttler and de Kock are the premium batting picks — explosive openers on both sides
2. Chahal is the must-pick bowler on a dry Jaipur surface
3. Go 6-5 towards RR for home advantage
4. Moderate-scoring match expected — balanced lineup strategy works best
5. Spin is king at Jaipur — pick spinners for maximum bowling value

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Internal Resources

For more Dream11 strategy, check out:

• Dream11 Grand League Strategy for IPL 2026
• Dream11 Captain Picks for All IPL 2026 Matches
• IPL Head-to-Head Records
• Today's Playing 11

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Good luck with your Dream11 teams! Remember, consistency over hunches wins in Grand Leagues. Pick with logic, not emotion. See you in the winning zone.

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Also Read

• Sawai Mansingh Stadium Pitch Report
• Dream11 Budget Picks for IPL 2026
• IPL 2026 Fantasy Hub — All match predictions in one place