It is match number six in this Indian Premier League 2021, and Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The two teams have had contrasting starts to this tournament. Virat Kohli and his men managed to hold their nerve in a tense last-ball finish against Mumbai Indians to start off with a win. On SRH couldn’t chase down 187, falling ten runs short against Kolkata Knight Riders.
For the second year in a row, RCB started their campaign with a win. There were stages where it looked like the match has slipped out of their grasp, but they managed to pull it back really well. Harshal Patel took a five-wicket haul to restrict MI to just 159/9 from 128/3 (in 15 overs). Then it was AB de Villiers who once again took RCB over the line. But what will please RCB is that there were some contributions from the other as Glenn Maxwell chipped in well and skipper Kohli contributed with 33 at the top.
But there are still a few holes for RCB to plug, and they will be hoping to become a lot more consistent as the season progresses. Devdutt Padikkal’s return at the top should also be a boost. However, mind you, despite Harshal Patel and Co delivering at the death against MI, the death-bowling is still a worry for them.
Meanwhile, the David Warner-led side leaked too many runs on a dry pitch in their first game. KKR racked up 187, and it proved to be a touch too many for the SRH batters as they fell ten runs short. Barring Rashid Khan, most bowlers were taken to the cleaners, and hence, SRH will be hoping the bowlers can shrug off the early rustiness. They have a solid side, and with Jonny Bairstow in the middle, the middle-order batting also looks a little more sorted. Thus, the 2016 champions will be aiming to bounce back strongly after that opening defeat.
Key Players
Jonny Bairstow: With Kane Williamson still struggling to get match fit (as said by head coach Trevor Bayliss), Bairstow’s role in the middle will be critical. The hard-hitting England batsman didn’t open the batting in the first game and continued to bat at No. 4, as he did for England in the T20Is in the recent past. He played a fine hand of 55 and kept SRH in the hunt, but his wicket was the turning point. His record against RCB is superb. He has played just two games against RCB, but he has smashed 175 runs (scores of 114 and 61 in 2019 and 2020, respectively) while striking at 176.77. Thus, Bairstow will once again be the key in this game.
Rashid Khan: With the superstar duo of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers having a slight weakness against leg-spin, Rashid Khan might be more than a handful. Over the last few years, Kohli and de Villiers have tended to play out the threat of Rashid. Glenn Maxwell doesn’t boast of an excellent record against the premier SRH spinner, either. Thus, the Afghanistan leg-spinner will be a massive threat against the RCB batting line-up. He has started the tournament well and returned with figures of 2/24 in the first game.
Glenn Maxwell: Glenn Maxwell had a very good RCB debut as he stroked his way to 39 off 28 balls. The Big Show looked in excellent touch, and he seems to be in a good space as well. His role in the middle-overs was vital as he took on the spinners and put the pressure back on MI which eased the pressure on Virat Kohli at the other end. Thus, Maxwell’s role will continue to be the same, and if he can continue doing what he did against MI, RCB will be better placed more often than not.
Yuzvendra Chahal: Yuzvendra Chahal had an off-game against the defending champions. He conceded 41 runs without picking up a wicket in his four overs. However, the Haryana leg-spinner is a crucial part of the RCB bowling attack, and his form will be important going ahead. Last season, RCB played SRH thrice, and Chahal was superb in each of the three games returning with figures of 3/18 (four overs), 2/19 (3.1 overs) and 1/24 (four overs). Hence, Chahal will be looking to roar back into form against one of his preferred oppositions in the recent past.
Prediction
The 2016 champions have won 10 times, while their 2016 final opponents have won seven games while one game was washed out. SRH won a couple of important clashes in 2020, including the Eliminator.
This time around, both teams are looking good. RCB’s death-bowling might still be a slight worry even after their performance against MI. However, they will be high on confidence after that win against the defending and five-time champions. SRH have a well-rounded side and could well shrug off the first game as a one-off. Thus, this should be a tight battle between two fierce captains, Virat Kohli and David Warner, who have had some intense matches against each other in the past.
