The upcoming clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 promises an exciting showdown at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, scheduled for April 15th at 7:30 PM IST. Currently, RCB sits at the bottom of the points table, while SRH holds the fifth position.
RCB has struggled this season, managing only one win in six matches, while SRH has fared slightly better with three wins in five matches. In their recent matches, RCB faced a defeat against Mumbai Indians, with notable performances from Faf du Plessis and Dinesh Karthik, scoring 61 and 53 runs respectively.
On the other hand, SRH narrowly lost to Punjab Kings, with Nitish Kumar Reddy contributing 64 runs. In their IPL history, the two teams have clashed 22 times, with RCB winning 10 matches and SRH winning 12. The M.Chinnaswamy Stadium has traditionally favoured chasing teams, with the dew factor making it easier to bat in the second innings.
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Both captains will likely prefer to chase upon winning the toss. In head-to-head encounters, SRH holds a slight edge over RCB with 12 wins compared to RCB’s 10. However, RCB will seek to turn the tables and improve their position on the points table with a victory in this crucial encounter.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Glenn Maxwell’s struggle for form has been compounded by a finger injury sustained during fielding against Mumbai Indians. He had to leave the field after the incident, raising concerns about his availability. However, Director of Cricket Mo Bobat provided some reassurance, stating that Maxwell underwent two scans, and there are no major injury worries for now.
In a recent match against LSG at the same venue, the visitors utilized two left-arm spinners – M. Siddharth and Krunal Pandya – during the PowerPlay overs. Despite being a traditionally tough environment for spinners, the Chinnaswamy Stadium has seen them concede at a relatively low economy rate of 8.35 this season. Considering this, RCB might contemplate employing a similar strategy, especially given SRH’s left-handed opening pair’s preference for pace.
Probable XI: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell/Cam Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Reece Topley, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Mayank Agarwal, who was sidelined due to illness, has resumed training and could potentially make an impact as a substitute, particularly at his home ground. On the bowling front, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, despite having just one PowerPlay wicket this season, boasts an impressive record against Virat Kohli, dismissing him four times in the IPL. Additionally, Bhuvneshwar has enjoyed success at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, having claimed nine wickets in eight visits with an excellent economy rate of 7.31.
Probable XI: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, T. Natarajan
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Heinrich Klaasen, Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli (c), Travis Head (vc), Faf du Plessis, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Will Jacks, K Nitesh Reddy, Pat Cummins, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Heinrich Klaasen, Virat Kohli, Travis Head, Faf du Plessis, Abhishek Sharma (c), Aiden Markram, Will Jacks (vc), K Nitesh Reddy, Pat Cummins, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Reece Topley
