By RCB woes continue as they suffer their sixth consecutive defeat in IPL 2024. Each loss would have been painful, but the recent one against Kolkata Knight Riders, where they fell just one run short of a stunning run chase of 223, would have been particularly hard to swallow. For a team desperate for a win, this defeat would have felt like a final blow.
Now, facing Sunrisers Hyderabad, the last team they’d want to meet after such a crushing loss, RCB’s bowlers are wary of a repeat performance. Despite SRH’s own bowling struggles, RCB knows they must contain the likes of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Reddy, and Shahbaz Ahmed.
RCB can take some comfort in SRH’s bowling also leaking runs, with scores of 277, 287, and 266 conceded. However, their focus will be on stopping SRH’s formidable opening pair early, which could be crucial in ending their losing streak.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore
When: April 25, 2024, at 19:30 IST
Where: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
What to expect: The venue has seen high-scoring matches, but also more moderate totals like CSK’s 165 that was chased down easily.
Team Watch
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Injuries/Availability: SRH has no injury concerns.
Tactics & Matchups: SRH may use Jaydev Unadkat, Pat Cummins, and Mayank Markande against Virat Kohli, who has struggled against them in the past. Heinrich Klaasen, on the other hand, has a good record against RCB bowlers.
Probable XI: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Nitish Reddy, Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Pat Cummins, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, T Natarajan [Impact sub: Washington Sundar/Jaydev Unadkat]
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Injuries/Availability: If Glenn Maxwell remains out, Cameron Green may continue in the middle order. Alzarri Joseph could return to bolster the bowling.
Tactics & Matchups: Faf du Plessis has a good record against SRH’s bowlers, which could work in his favor. RCB bowlers may struggle against DK, who has performed well against them.
Probable XI: Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Karn Sharma, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Siraj
Did you know?
The last time these teams met in Hyderabad, Virat Kohli scored a century in a successful run chase.
The powerplay batting strike rates for Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma in IPL 2024 are 234.54 and 232.87 respectively.
