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THE TIMES OF INDIA | Apr 25, 2024, 17:26:52 IST
RCB vs SRH IPL Live Score: Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to unleash their brute batting power on struggling Royal Challengers Bengaluru when the two teams face off in their return-leg fixture of the IPL in Hyderabad on Thursday. Having breached the 250-run mark thrice in this IPL edition itself, Sunrisers Hyderabad are pushing the boundaries of T20 batting with their no holds barred approach. While Mumbai Indians were the first victim of SRH's new-found batting strength this season, RCB bore the maximum brunt when the Travis Head-led batting line-up powered the 2016 winners to IPL's highest-ever total of 287/3 in Bengaluru. If this was not enough, SRH's carnage against Delhi Capitals — which included a record 125/0 being scored in the powerplay — brought forth the possibility of the 300-run mark being breached for the first time ever in the IPL. And it won't be surprising if SRH manage to do the unthinkable and that too against a bowling attack as frail as RCB's, whose struggles with in the bowling department could be gauged with the fact that their best bowler, Yash Dayal, is at 24th spot in the overall list with seven wickets. Placed at the bottom of the pool, RCB have conceded at least 180 in their last five matches. In the last two games, the opponents have raked up totals in excess of 200. RCB batters have worked hard to make up for their severe shortcomings in bowling, but for such a lopsided squad in terms of balance, the task to produce an all-round performance looks nearly impossible. To their credit, RCB fought incredibly hard with the bat but were unfortunate to have lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by a mere one run after conceding 222/6. Moreover, a collective batting effort must have pleased the RCB management to a large extent. He was a victim of a contentious call but Virat Kohli remains RCB's best batter in the tournament so far, having scored 379 runs to keep the Orange Cap in possession. But hot on his heels are a few others including SRH's Head, who is making most of his purple patch. Head's game is designed not only on aggressiveness and ability to cash in on every opportunity, his ability to find gaps at will makes him a compulsory watch. Abhishek Sharma has flourished in Head's company and Heinrich Klaasen too has made merry with the bat this season. Overall, SRH's compelling shows with the bat have made the job of their bowlers and skipper Pat Cummins easier. SRH are placed comfortably at the third position in the table with 10 points from seven matches. While the journey so far has been fuelled by the batters' fire, SRH would know their bowling would be tested along the way and Cummins' men could do well to watch out against a hurting RCB side.
Pitch Report
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has hosted two IPL 2024 matches so far, showcasing a batting-friendly pitch where batsmen have been able to score freely. The bowlers will need to rely on their variations and tactics to make an impact on this surface and restrict the opposition's scoring.
Stat Attack!
Ground history
In the two matches played at the venue, teams have experienced mixed fortunes when it comes to batting first or second, with one win each for both scenarios.
The average first innings total stands at 221, indicating a solid platform set by the teams batting initially. Conversely, the average second innings total is slightly lower at 206, suggesting that chasing teams might face a slightly tougher challenge.
The highest total recorded at the venue is an impressive 277/3, achieved by Sunrisers Hyderabad against Mumbai Indians, showcasing the batting potential of the ground. On the other hand, the lowest total stands at 165/5, posted by Chennai Super Kings against Sunrisers Hyderabad, underlining the competitive nature of the pitch.
Head to head: SRH hold edge over RCB
Pat Cummins is always well prepared. The performances have been of high standard. He has a strong ability to read the game. He works with bowlers and coaches. That worked well. We have some pressure situations particularly with ball, defending totals. But he made the difference
Daniel Vettori - SRH Head Coach
How RCB can still qualify for IPL playoffs
After Delhi Capitals triumph over Gujarat Titans, RCB's hopes of sealing a place in the playoffs is slim in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), however, there is still a chance for RCB to swing fortune to their side in the remaining six games. RCB are currently at the bottom of the table with two points in eight matches and a negative run rate of 1.046. In order to make a bid for a spot in the final four, RCB need to win their remaining six matches which includes their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. If they stand victorious in the rest of the games, their points tally will read 14 and the remaining results need to fall in their favour which would help them prevail in the knockout stages with a better Net Run Rate (NRR). If the top-3 teams according to the current points table Rajasthan Royals go on to win four of their remaining six, while Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad win five of their remaining seven matches, then they will finish on 22, 20 and 20 points respectively. In such a scenario, it will be possible that RCB, with 14 points, will finish fourth with the other teams ending the group stage with 12 or less than that. In a highly unlikely scenario, RCB could also finish in the third spot, but for that to happen the top three teams in the group stage would need to win just a single match in their remaining six matches. Mathematically, RCB are still in contention to make the cut for the knockout stage but they would need to switch through gears and win their remaining six games with a good margin to improve their NRR. RCB will play their remaining games against SRH, twice against GT, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings.
Milestone game for RCB
RCB will be playing their 250th IPL game when they take on the SRH at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Thursday. This completes a big milestone of their journey, which has seen a lot of ups and downs and the creation of some of the biggest league superstars and a loyal fanbase despite not clinching a title yet. RCB is in desperate need of a win, having lost six successive games so far. They are at the bottom of the points table with a win and seven losses, giving them two points. SRH is in the third spot with five wins and two losses, giving them 10 points. In 249 matches so far, RCB has won 117 and lost 128. Four games have ended with no results. Their win percentage is 46.18 per cent. RCB has been a three-time IPL finalist in 2009, 2011 and 2016. However, they have not lifted the trophy even once, losing by six runs to Deccan Chargers in 2009, losing by 58 runs to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2011 edition and by eight runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2016. Other than these finals, RCB has made it to the final four stage of the tournament five more times in 2010, 2015, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Star India batter Virat Kohli is the franchise's leading run-scorer with 7,642 runs at an average of 38.01 and a strike rate of over 130, with eight centuries and 52 fifties. His best score is 113*. Virat has been with the franchise since IPL's inception in 2008.
All eyes on opening duo of Travis and Abhishek
But hot on his heels are a few others including SRH's Head, who is making most of his purple patch. Head's game is designed not only on aggressiveness and ability to cash in on every opportunity, his ability to find gaps at will makes him a compulsory watch. Abhishek Sharma has flourished in Head's company and Heinrich Klaasen too has made merry with the bat this season. Overall, SRH's compelling shows with the bat have made the job of their bowlers and skipper Pat Cummins easier. SRH are placed comfortably at the third position in the table with 10 points from seven matches. While the journey so far has been fuelled by the batters' fire, SRH would know their bowling would be tested along the way and Cummins' men could do well to watch out against a hurting RCB side.
RCB lack bowling firepower
Placed at the bottom of the pool, RCB have conceded at least 180 in their last five matches. In the last two games, the opponents have raked up totals in excess of 200. RCB batters have worked hard to make up for their severe shortcomings in bowling, but for such a lopsided squad in terms of balance, the task to produce an all-round performance looks nearly impossible. To their credit, RCB fought incredibly hard with the bat but were unfortunate to have lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by a mere one run after conceding 222/6. Moreover, a collective batting effort must have pleased the RCB management to a large extent. He was a victim of a contentious call but Virat Kohli remains RCB's best batter in the tournament so far, having scored 379 runs to keep the Orange Cap in possession.
Rampant SRH look to breach 300-run mark
Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to unleash their brute batting power on struggling Royal Challengers Bengaluru when the two teams face off in their return-leg fixture in Hyderabad. Having breached the 250-run mark thrice in this IPL edition itself, Sunrisers Hyderabad are pushing the boundaries of T20 batting with their no holds barred approach. While Mumbai Indians were the first victim of SRH's new-found batting strength this season, RCB bore the maximum brunt when the Travis Head-led batting line-up powered the 2016 winners to IPL's highest-ever total of 287/3 in Bengaluru. If this was not enough, SRH's carnage against Delhi Capitals — which included a record 125/0 being scored in the powerplay — brought forth the possibility of the 300-run mark being breached for the first time ever in the IPL. And it won't be surprising if SRH manage to do the unthinkable and that too against a bowling attack as frail as RCB's, whose struggles with in the bowling department could be gauged with the fact that their best bowler, Yash Dayal, is at 24th spot in the overall list with seven wickets.
Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the Match 41 of the Indian Premier League between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru
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