IPL 2021 preview: RCB looks to get winning momentum going, SRH eyes comeback
The Indian Premier League 2021 is the 14th-edition of the profitable Twenty20 league. Royal Challengers Bangalore continues to be led by Virat Kohli, having not won a title to date. Sunrisers Hyderabad is being captained by David Warner, having won the title in 2016.
FollowThe 2021 Indian Premier League has just got started and is already entertaining its fans to the fullest with great matches. In Match 6, Royal Challengers Bangalore would take on former champion Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday.
While RCB is still in the hunt for its maiden title, SRH would be looking to add a second. With a clash of two heavyweights, it would be an exciting match indeed, as we present the preview for the same.
Current form
RCB is coming off a winning performance in its season opener against defending champion Mumbai Indians, as Virat Kohli and co would aim to keep the momentum going. As for SRH, it lost its opener against fellow former champion Kolkata Knight Riders and would be desperate to get its first win of the season under the belt.
Team composition and combination
As for the squad, SRH possesses almost a balanced one, with a tide focus on batting. However, with more capped talents in the bowling, every department is equally strong. It is likely to move in with a bowling-heavy unit for the game.
For RCB, it is heavily influenced by its batting. However, with enough capped talents in the bowling department, RCB can deliver in the same way while aiming to move in with a balanced XI in this.
Injury concerns
Barring the two pre-season injuries and suitable replacements in each, there are no fresh injury concerns for now.
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Head-to-head
In 18 games to date, SRH has won ten, while RCB has won seven. Of the 15 games in India, SRH leads 8-6. Meanwhile, it would be their first clash in Chennai.
Weather and pitch report
The weather in Chennai would be hot, with the temperature around 32 degrees and 67% of humidity. As for the track, it is likely to remain sporty, with spinners getting the assistance later.
Probable XI
SRH: David Warner (c), Manish Pandey, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Jonny Bairstow, Abdul Samad, Vijay Shankar, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan and Sandeep Sharma.
RCB: Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian, Washington Sundar, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal and Shahbaz Ahmad.
Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Kohli, Pandey (vc), Samad- Kohli is sure to start as an opener and is a hot-shot to fire along with Manish Pandey. Abdul Samad was good in the last game and is likely to consolidate in the middle. Pandey's reliability makes him the vice-captain.
Wicketkeepers: AB de Villiers, Bairstow- De Villiers is a no-brainer here, while Bairstow's prolific form makes him a must inclusion.
All-rounders: Nabi, Maxwell, Sundar- Nabi is a reliable all-rounder every time in every department, while Maxwell is definite to fire with the bat and can be handy with the ball. As for Sundar, he can chip in and stabilise any department he wants.
Bowlers: Harshal, Jamieson, Rashid- While Rashid is once again a must-have for his deadly leg spins, Harshal impressed with his pace bowling in the last game and is sure to continue with the same form, thus making him the skipper, along with Jamieson.
Match details
Date and day: April 14, 2021 (Wednesday)
Venue: MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) stadium, Chennai
Time: 7.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar
