Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
What a perfect result last night for the team from Bangalore. MI’s very tight win over KXIP has made this game even more interesting, all part of the amazing finish to the IPL 2018 group stage.
Royal Challengers Bangalore come into this game on the back of two straight wins, including a thumping of KXIP that has them roaring back into playoffs contention. MI’s close win against KXIP means that RCB are still within reachable distance of MI’s NRR, but more importantly, if they continue the good cricket they have played in the last two games, they are a chance (slight) of progressing to the next stage.
It is easier said than done though, as RCB host top of the table Sunrisers Hyderabad. SRH were totally outplayed in Pune against CSK, and while their passage to the playoffs was sealed a while back, they will not want two straight defeats as part of their preparation for the playoffs. Can SRH’s bowlers bounce back after being absolutely dismantled by Ambati Rayudu and co? Or will the likes of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have similar success?
All to play for in what promises to be a really interesting game.
Key to a Royal Challengers Bangalore win
To the surprise of myself and undoubtedly many fans, RCB’s bowling (outside the death overs), especially in the powerplay overs, has been quite impressive throughout the tournament. This was at the fore against KXIP, dismissing the dangerous KL Rahul cheaply, which was the catalyst to bowling KXIP out for just 88.
The key here will be to dismiss Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson cheaply. Against SRH in the previous meeting in IPL 2018, RCB dismissed Shikhar Dhawan early, and restricted SRH to 146. In SRH’s last two games, Dhawan and Williamson have combined for 305 runs, including an unbeaten 176 run stand to chase down 187 with ease against DD.
Of course the focus is also on AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli, and whether they can lead RCB in getting on top of the best attack in IPL 2018. If they can, they are a great chance of keeping their season alive.
Key to a Sunrisers Hyderabad win
SRH’s bowlers were uncharacteristically bad against CSK, either dropping too short or bowling too full amid the carnage, led by Ambati Rayudu. The key here is improvement, restricting RCB to below 170 if possible. Specifically, the wickets of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, as is the case in any RCB match, are very important.
Also, the contribution of SRH’s top three will be a key factor to the result. Kane Williamson and Shikhar Dhawan are in very good form at the moment, and if Alex Hales can put pressure on RCB in those powerplay overs, SRH can set a strong platform when either setting or chasing a score.
Predicted teams
Expect RCB to stick with the same team that thrashed KXIP.
Royal Challengers Bangalore XI: 1. Parthiv Patel (wk), 2. Virat Kohli, 3. AB de Villiers, 4. Mandeep Singh, 5. Sarfaraz Khan 6. Colin de Grandhomme, 7. Moeen Ali, 8. Tim Southee, 9. Umesh Yadav, 10. Mohammed Siraj, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal
Yusuf Pathan missed the previous game due to soreness, and will perhaps not be rushed back for this game. There is a chance though that Wriddhiman Saha will return from a shoulder injury.
Sunrisers Hyderabad XI: 1. Shikhar Dhawan, 2. Alex Hales, 3. Kane Williamson, 4. Manish Pandey, 5. Deepak Hooda, 6. Shakib Al Hasan, 7. Wriddhiman Saha, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Siddarth Kaul, 11. Sandeep Sharma
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-Head: Matches 11, RCB 4, SRH 7
- In the previous meeting between these two sides in IPL 2018, SRH won by five runs, defending 146.
- RCB have lost four of five matches batting first. SRH on the other hand have won four from five.
- SRH have won their last four matches against RCB.
- Save Sandeep Sharma for Kohli? He has got the India captain five times in 33 balls in IPL cricket.
- RCB concede 8 an over in the powerplay (one of the best), but 12.18 at the death (worst).
Prediction
So much at stake for one team, and the opportunity to get back in the winner’s circle for the other.
I just have this feeling RCB will be up for this game, and win to keep their season alive. Promises to a great encounter!
