One of the most awaited clashes in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in the first week is the game between the former IPL champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the star-studded Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the third match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. There is a new vibe about the current RCB in IPL 2020 as they have made some changes in the personnel at the helm with the duo of Mike Hesson and Simon Katich joining hands with Indian skipper Virat Kohli.
The move has already seen an evident shift in the thought process of the franchise which was evident during the IPL Auction. Like RCB, the Sunrisers also have a new coach in Trevor Bayliss, with David Warner making a comeback as a captain once again. Apart from a few acquisitions, the squad is largely settled with the likes of Rashid Khan, and Jonny Bairstow set to joining SRH.
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The Sunrisers will ideally fancy their chances against RCB, given the latter’s inconsistent bowling performances in recent times. The duo of Warner and Bairstow would have good memories against RCB, especially after their rampant double-century stand in Hyderabad last year.
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SRH and RCB locked horns with each other in 14 games and the winning count in the past with the head-to-head record reading 8-6 in favor of the Hyderabad-based franchise. With some of the best T20 players set for their first taste of IPL 2020 action, the fans can be expecting a cracking encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
The biggest conundrum for SRH in IPL 2020 will be whether to included Kane Williamson or not. But considering Mohammad Nabi’s recent form and experience in UAE conditions, SRH would want the Afghanistan all-rounder as he can be a good finisher as well. There could be a toss-up between Siddarth Kaul and Sandeep Sharma. In nine innings for SRH against RCB, Warner has amassed 562 runs at 80.29 going past 50 eight times. On the other hand, Sandeep Sharma has picked 21 wickets in 12 matches against RCB with a wicket every 12.5 balls. He has dismissed Kohli six times and de Villiers twice.
Probable XI: David Warner (C), Jonny Bairstow (WK), Manish Pandey, Virat Singh, Vijay Shankar, Abdul Samad, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Siddarth Kaul/Sandeep Sharma
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Looking at these seamer-friendly conditions, RCB will be looking to included Dale Steyn ahead of Moeen Ali in their XI especially to counter SRH’s openers. If AB de Villiers does keep wickets, Parthiv Patel will have to make way for young Devdutt Padikkal at the top of the order. If he is picked in the XI, Aaron Finch will be playing for his 8th franchise in the IPL 2020 in his 10th season.
Probable XI: Aaron Finch, Devdutt Padikkal/Parthiv Patel, Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers, Gurkeerat Singh, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Chris Morris, Dale Steyn, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal
