IPL 2021, RCB vs SRH Preview: Can Hyderabad ruin Bangalore's bid for the 2nd spot?
On Wednesday, Royal Challengers Bangalore could be involved in a tricky encounter against SunRisers Hyderabad in its IPL 2021 tie. RCB has already qualified for the playoffs and is eyeing the second spot, while SRH is knocked out.
FollowIn what could turn out to be a tricky tie, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) would be taking on former champion Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Match 52 of the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. RCB has sealed its playoffs berth but is in contention for the second spot, as it would eye a win here. We present the preview of this enthraling match here.
Current form
RCB is placed third in the table, with eight wins from 12 games, collecting 16 points. As for SRH, it is set to finish at the bottom, winning a couple off 12 so far and having just four points. SRH would be looking to become party-spoilers for the surviving teams in its remaining couple of matches.
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Team composition
As for the teams, RCB has a sincerely reliable bowling attack, consisting of star powers aplenty. In contrast, its batting has been profoundly contradictory, lacking star power, and heavily dependant on skipper Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.
For SRH, it is substantial in its batting. Nonetheless, it possesses an extraordinary bowling attack, giving the opposition batters a tough time. However, its batting has let it down on various occasions, while even Kane Williamson's captaincy has been of no good so far. In the meantime, the focus would again be upon the skipper, along with Manish Pandey, David Warner, Mohammad Nabi, Jason Holder, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rashid Khan, Khaleel Ahmed and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
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Injury concerns: No side has an injury concern, while T Natarajan and Vijay Shankar remain out of the squad due to COVID.
Head-to-head
The two sides have clashed on 19 instances, with SRH leading 10-8. Of the three United Arab Emirates (UAE) matches, SRH leads 2-1, while the only game in Abu Dhabi saw SRH triumph. But, going by the current form, RCB is the favourite here.
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Weather and pitch report
The Abu Dhabi weather would be sunny and warm, with a temperature of around 36 degrees and 53% humidity. The track is expected to aid the batters while chasing would be the ideal choice for the side winning the toss.
Probable XI
RCB: Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat (wk), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Daniel Christian/ Tim David, George Garton/Kyle Jamieson, Shahbaz Ahmed, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj and Yuzvendra Chahal.
SRH: Jason Roy, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Priyam Garg, Abhishek Sharma, Abdul Samad, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar/ Sandeep Sharma, Umran Malik and Siddarth Kaul.
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Fantasy XI
Batters: De Villiers, Kohli, Padikkal, Samad- Kohli and Padikkal would give the right start, while de Villiers can bat at both top and middle, as Samad would consolidate in the middle-order.
Wicketkeeper: Saha- He is the only man in this department that is in some form.
All-rounders: Maxwell (vc)- He has been effective in all departments and would continue the run, making him the deputy skipper.
Bowlers: Kaul, Chahal, Harshal (c), Garton, Rashid- Chahal and Rashid have been nailing it with their spin, while among the pacers, Harshal would lead the department as the skipper, along with Kaul and Garton, who have been effective.
Match details
Date and day: October 6, 2021 (Wednesday)
Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
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
