RCB hope to keep top-two ambitions on track after long break

IPL 2025

RCB hope to keep top-two ambitions on track after long break

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

It will have been 20 days since RCB last played a game. © BCCI

The first set of IPL 2025 challenges is done and dusted. The playoff contenders are locked in; the eliminated sides have been cast aside. Now begins the next phase, a jostle for the top two spots. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, among the strongest contenders, head into their penultimate league game with that in mind. The catch? They haven't taken the field in nearly 20 days.

They'll have to shake off the rust against a Sunrisers Hyderabad side that has imploded more often than they'd have liked. Yet, even in a season where little has clicked, SRH have shown flashes, beating some of the tournament's top teams on their day. With four wins from 12 games, they have little left to play for, except pride, and maybe two more consolation victories to sign off.

The Ekana Stadium, a late replacement for this fixture after persistent rain threats in Bengaluru, has served up a mixed bag. When SRH last played here, they chased down a 200-plus total with ease. But typically, Lucknow has dished out slow, low-bounce surfaces that produce middling scores, not quite the ideal setting for two batting-heavy sides who last year played out a 287 vs 262 slugfest. Still, this unfamiliar ground could offer a different kind of contest, slower, tighter, and potentially, more intriguing.

When: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Friday, May 23, 7:30 PM IST

Where:Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow

What to expect: Usually, the surfaces in Lucknow have aided the slower bowlers and the batters have had to adjust to the slowish surfaces. Neither team boasts of a strong spin attack or one suited for slower surfaces.

Head to head: RCB 11-13 SRH. The last five games between these sides have been edged 3-2 by RCB.

Team Watch:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Injuries/Unavailability:Rajat Patidar is likely to be available for the clash after having sustained a hand injury before the break.

Tactics & Matchups: In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, the mantle of leading RCB's impressive bowling attack will have to be borne by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He'll be up against a team he represented for 11 years until 2024. Bhuvneshwar already has one wicket (12) more than his tally from last season, despite playing six fewer games.

Probable XII:Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Injuries/Unavailability: Travis Head tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the game against LSG. His availability for the clash against RCB remains uncertain

Tactics & Matchups: Even though he has played only 5 games so far, Eshan Malinga is SRH's third highest wicket taker behind Harshal (15) and Cummins (13) and only Jaydev Unadkat boasts a better strike-rate. Five of the slinger's nine wickets have come with the fuller length delivery.

Probable XII:Atharva Taide, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Kamindu Mendis, Aniket Verma, Nitish Reddy, Pat Cummins, Harshal Patel, Harsh Dubey, Zeeshan Ansari, Eshan Malinga

Did you know?

- RCB are unbeaten in six away games this season, although this is statistically a home game for them.

- SRH have conceded 19 200+ scores since 2022 - the most for any time.

- Three of the five players with most sixes since the start of IPL 2024 - Virat Kohli (56), Heinrich Klaasen (52) and Abhishek Sharma (65) - will be in action tomorrow.

What they said:

"We have got a good record away. We have been able to flex for the away conditions really well, so I am backing our players to do that again tomorrow. So, we are okay playing here in Lucknow." - Andy Flower

© Cricbuzz

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