RCB’s bowling woes continue, but Maxwell is fit to play
Matchup: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Venue: Bengaluru (7:30 PM IST)
Can RCB Stop Hyderabad’s Batting Powerhouse at Chinnaswamy?
RCB’s season has been a nightmare. They’ve slumped to five losses in six games, with their bowling being a major weakness. Captain Faf du Plessis admits they lack firepower with the ball. In their last match, Mumbai chased down a target of 199 in just 16 overs!
Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, boast a dangerous batting lineup. Openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, along with the middle order of Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Abdul Samad, and Pat Cummins, can dismantle any bowling attack. They hold the record for the highest IPL total (277) this season and are the second-fastest scoring team.
RCB’s Bowling Under Pressure
RCB has the third-worst economy rate this season. Mohammed Siraj’s form has dipped, and their spin attack hasn’t been effective. Captain Faf has called on his batsmen to deliver, with some hope coming from decent performances by himself, Rajat Patidar, and finisher Dinesh Karthik. Virat Kohli, the IPL’s leading run-scorer, also has a good record against Sunrisers.
Team News
- RCB has used a whopping 19 players this season, the second-most after Delhi Capitals (20). Injuries haven’t helped, with Glenn Maxwell getting a scare recently. However, he’s cleared to play. If unfit, Cameron Green might return. Saurav Chauhan or Anuj Rawat could be the Impact Player.
- Sunrisers are unlikely to change their winning team. T Natarajan might be the Impact Player for bowling, while Rahul Tripathi could come in for extra batting.
Players in Focus
- Will Jacks, replacing the expensive Green, will be looking to justify his selection after a disappointing debut.
- Travis Head, playing against his former team, will be keen on a big score.
Key Stats
- Sunrisers have a poor record at Chinnaswamy, with the worst win percentage among all IPL teams at the venue.
- Dinesh Karthik and Heinrich Klaasen are two of the quickest scorers in the death overs this season.
- RCB has the worst IPL season bowling average in the powerplay (first six overs).
Conditions
The Chinnaswamy pitch has been less batter-friendly this year, with a two-paced nature. The average first-innings score has dropped to 180.