SRH play a crucial game against RCB
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad is set to witness one of the biggest clashes of IPL 2026 as defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Sunrisers Hyderabad
Hyderabad: A royal battle is on the cards when former champions, Sunrisers Hyderabad, takes on defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in what is the last league match for both the teams here on Friday night.
And, it should be a real contest and a spectator’s delight as the two formidable outfits with very little to separate them fight for the top place before moving into the play-offs as SRH has 16 points and RCB 18 points.
Importantly, Sunrisers will not only take on not just the might of RCB but also the expected high decibel levels from the stands cheering one of the all-time greats, Virat Kohli.
In a way, this season has repeatedly seen RCB being lustily cheered across all venues, a scenario which was earlier the ‘exclusive’ feature of the five-times champions Chennai Super Kings.
Both the teams come into this game fresh from convincing wins, SRH scoring a five-wicket win against Chennai in Chennai and RCB recording a 23-run win against Punjab Kingsin Dharmshala.
Generally, the team which chases has a better chance to cross the line given the typical nature of the wicket.
Both the teams are top heavy in batting with the likes of Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, the most dangerous Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, SalilArora expected to provide the fireworks for the home team and in bowling captain Pat Cummins is clearly leading from the front with great support from the likes of Eshan Malinga, who has been the surprise package for the home team this season, the spirited Sakib Hussain handling pace while spinner Shivang Kumar invariably chipped in with crucial breakthroughs being economical at the same time.
On the other hand, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the leading wicket-taker this season and Josh Hazlewood form a deadly combination in pace with Rasikh Salam expected to complement them. In spin, left-armer Krunal Pandya, whose ‘bouncers’ have become more menacing, and Suyash Sharma have shown the courage to raise the bar under pressure.
RCB batting has been in a class of its own with Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli at the top followed by in-form and free-stroking Devdutt Paddikkal. It would be interesting to see whether Venkatesh Iyer, who struck a brilliant 40-ball 73 not out in the last match against Punjab Kings, fits into the scheme of things if a fit Rajat Patidar is back to lead the team. The big-hitting Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd should prop the total to menacing proportions.
By all means, it will be a serious test for the bowlers from both the teams.