Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview: Incoherent teams fight for supremacy

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore have had contrasting starts to their respective Indian Premier League 2021 (IPL) campaigns. The two sides now meet in this match #6 of the season on Wednesday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

SRH started with a ten-run loss to the Kolkata Knight Riders at this same venue on Sunday. On the other hand, the RCB side started with a nervy two-wicket win over champions Mumbai Indians in the tournament opener.

The Sunrisers couldn’t rise to the occasion against KKR failing to chase 187/6, although Manish Pandey’s 61* off 44 balls brought them close. Jonny Bairstow was equally good with his 55 off 40, but in the end the Sunrisers fell short.

Before that, the SRH bowlers did well in patches to restrict the Knight Riders. The Afghan duo of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi took two wickets each, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar had an off day with 1/45.

Jason Holder has completed his quarantine, although he may not be selected for this encounter. Kane Williamson should be fit for selection, though.

The Challengers got the better of champions Mumbai by two-wickets riding on belligerent AB de Villiers’ special (48 off 27). Glenna Maxwell sparkled on his RCB debut (39 off 28), while captain Virat Kohli also chipped in with a 30+ score.

It was with the ball though, that the Royal Challengers got their boost. Harshal Patel’s maiden T20 five-wicket haul (5/27) restricted the Mumbai Indians to a manageable 159/9.

Adam Zampa and Finn Allen missed the first match due to contrasting reasons and could still be out of action for this game. Devdutt Padikkal could be back in action, though.

This is a fixture hasn’t swayed either way with the Sunrisers enjoying a 10-7 record against RCB. It is the Sunrisers though, who have won seven of their last ten matches, giving them an edge.

Last season saw three matches between these sides with the teams level 1-1 in the league. A 10-run win for the Royal Challengers was followed by a five-wicket win for the Sunrisers. Crucially though, SRH won the eliminator by six wickets.

Sunrisers will have to work on their batting composition as well as the batting order. Vijay Shankar’s role come into focus, while Mohammad Nabi may face the axe to allow for Williamson’s entry. Roy may have to wait for this IPL debut. For the Challengers, Yuzvendra Chahal’s poor returns is a concern.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to get back on track and all eyes will be on how Jonny Bairstow will kick on. He has scores of 61 and 114 in his only two matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Back him to score another fifty, going on from his fifty in the first match. As for the Royal Challengers, Maxwell’s redemption and AB de Villiers’ recent form is a huge positive. Back the RCB side to post the higher opening partnership of the match, especially if Padikkal is back in the side.