Last Updated on 9 months ago by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 3: SRH vs RCB Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SRH vs RCB Dream11 Prediction Today | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report

One side has performed relatively well in IPL cricket, while the other, apart from a few hopeful moments, have largely disappointed. Two teams with significant attention on them will do battle in IPL 2020’s third match, seeking to make the perfect start to their respective campaigns.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, since their inception in 2013, have performed consistently, reaching the playoffs five times in seven attempts, with a Title in 2016. However, opinion is split on SRH this season. On one hand, many believe their terrific opening combination, along with capable bowling attack, can be the catalyst for another strong season. On the contrary, there is the risk of too much reliance on the Warner-Bairstow combination, which was the case in 2019, where they qualified for the playoffs with more losses than wins.

So, which will it be for SRH this season? If their middle order falters in their opening game, the criticism and concern will grow louder regarding that aspect of their game. So, an all-round performance first up will certainly help boost confidence, which is important early on in what looks a very competitive tournament.

Their opponents, Royal Challengers Bangalore, will be out to prove that this season is not like the others. That this season is indeed different. That this season could be the one. Their loyal fans are always greatly optimistic of their chances, but one feels that optimism has some merit this time around, with some key changes to the setup. In addition to Simon Katich and Mike Hesson at the helm, RCB had a more focused auction, seeking solutions to long-standing problems. However, much will also depend on how quickly they can strike the perfect combinations, build confidence and overcome mental scars of failure in key moments over the years.

RCB is comfortably the worst side against spin in the past two seasons. The overall average against spin in this period is 28, compared to RCB’s 23. When it comes to leg-spin, RCB average just 22, compared to the league’s 25. Against off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox, the story is even more dire (average of just 17 vs off-spin and 23 vs SLA). So, it will be interesting to see how Virat Kohli’s men fare against the likes of Rashid Khan and co. in their campaign opener.

Also read: Will RCB and SRH make the playoffs in IPL 2020? CricBlog’s tournament predictions!

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• David Warner is one of the all-time IPL greats. The three-time Orange Cap winner has a magnificent record against RCB: 562 runs, avg. 80.29.
• Warner and Jonny Bairstow took RCB apart last season, each scoring centuries. The Warner-Bairstow opening combination is a key strength of SRH.
• How quickly will the great Virat Kohli hit his strides in IPL 2020? He has the second-most runs in SRH-RCB matches with 504 at an average of 45.82.
• AB de Villiers is next with 389 (avg. 35.36). ABD and Kohli will be crucial, so how they play the spin of SRH will be key.
• Will Aaron Finch line up right away for RCB? If he does, RCB will have an in-form opener: Finch hit 226 runs in six knocks across T20Is and ODIs in England. Also, Finch was outstanding in the UAE last year vs Pakistan, hitting 451 runs in five ODIs at an average of 112.75.
• Manish Pandey has a vital role to play in SRH’s middle order, along with Vijay Shankar. Pandey had a strong 2019 campaign, with 344 runs at an average of 43.00 and SR 130.79.
• If SRH choose Mohammad Nabi as their all-rounder, they will be picking an in-form off-spinner. RCB struggle against off-spin in IPL, and Nabi is coming off 12 wickets in 12 matches in the recent CPL, at an economy rate of just 5.10.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of the key Indian seamers to watch out for in IPL 2020. He has the most wickets in SRH-RCB matches (14).
• Chris Morris is one of the most talked about auction buys. Can he help solve RCB’s death bowling worries?
• Rashid Khan has taken seven wickets in five games vs RCB. Also, Rashid has three wickets in 10 overs in T20Is at Dubai.
• Can Khaleel Ahmed build on his brilliant 2019 season, where he took 19 wickets in nine games? Also, Khaleel picks up a wicket every eight balls vs RCB.
• Yuzvendra Chahal is one of RCB’s key hopes. The brilliant legspinner was RCB’s leading wicket-taker in 2019, with 18 in 14 games. Also, Chahal has the second-most wickets in SRH-RCB matches (10).

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 15, SRH 8, RCB 6, 1 abandoned match.
• RCB have won two of their last three games against SRH, bouncing back to beat the men in orange in their final match last season.
• RCB have the worst economy rate in overs 17-20 of any active team in IPL (10.46).

Possible Playing 11

The great Kane Williamson is likely to warm the bench as David Warner, Jonny Bairstow and Rashid Khan are three set overseas picks for SRH. The other overseas slot is likely to be taken by an all-rounder, with Mohammad Nabi, Fabian Allen and Mitchell Marsh the options. Also, SRH could look to play the very talented Priyam Garg and Abdul Samad, two of the excellent domestic talents to watch out for in IPL 2020.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. David Warner (c), 2. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3. Priyam Garg, 4. Manish Pandey, 5. Vijay Shankar, 6. Mohammad Nabi/Mitchell Marsh, 7. Abdul Samad/Abhishek Sharma, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Khaleel Ahmed, 11. Sandeep Sharma

RCB have some decisions to make regarding their overseas talent. Given plenty was invested in Chris Morris, you feel he and AB de Villiers are certainties for two of the four overseas slots. Another could be taken by Aaron Finch, with the other to be between Moeen Ali, Dale Steyn or the in-form Adam Zampa (10 wickets in last three ODIs vs England). It will depend on RCB’s priorities, which could mean that Moeen is favoured first up, given the value he could provide in the middle-order (an area where RCB has struggled) and with the ball.

AB de Villiers has been seen training with the wicket-keeping gloves, which could mean he starts the tournament as the keeper. So, Parthiv Patel could be left out, with either Kohli or the exciting Devdutt Padikkal to open. Also, given ABD has had his issues against spin in recent seasons, could he be pushed lower down the order to take advantage of the death overs?

Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1. Aaron Finch, 2. Devdutt Padikkal, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Moeen Ali, 5. AB de Villiers (wk), 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Chris Morris, 8. Washington Sundar/Pawan Negi, 9. Umesh Yadav, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Navdeep Saini

Dubai Pitch and Weather Report

At the time of writing, the Dubai surface for the Delhi Capitals vs Kings XI Punjab match had a good covering of grass. But, it wasn’t totally even, which saw quite a bit of bounce, as well as some other deliveries stay low. In 62 T20 Internationals at Dubai, the average run rate is 7.13, but both sides are capable of crossing this on a surface that still shapes up to be better than is usually the case.

In terms of the weather, more hot weather and no rain is forecast. There is a chance of some dew in the second innings, which could prompt the captain who wins the toss to select to chase.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

A cracking match in store. Much could depend on whether RCB can get the better of SRH’s openers, where they can then target SRH’s middle order, followed by the death overs period which could be crucial. The same applies to whether SRH can get the better of RCB’s top four. One feels that the side who gets the better of the respective top orders can come out on top.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Will RCB and SRH make the playoffs in IPL 2020? CricBlog’s tournament predictions!