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Mon, 15 April 2024
IPL: Dominant SRH down RCB in high-scoring game
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23:46 Dominant SRH down RCB in high-scoring game
RCB 262-7 (20 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
Bhuvneshwar to bowl the final over. Left-hander Rawat gets the first ball fine on the off-side for a four before he gets a thick outside edge next ball for another boundary, to take RCB past 250.
A single each to Rawat and Vyshak before the former hits the fifth ball through the covers for a four.
He walks across and scoops the last ball fine on the leg side for another four.
RCB finish on 262/7 in their 20 overs but still fall short by 25 runs. It rained sixes and fours in Bengaluru as the match saw a total of 549 runs being scored by both teams combined.
RCB stay bottom as they suffer their sixth defeat from seven games, while SRH claim their fourth win from six games to be fourth in the standings.
23:08 Dominant SRH set for huge win vs RCB
RCB 244-7 (19 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
Natarajan to bowl the 19th over. Karthik hits the first ball over midwicket for a six before he hits the next in the same region. This time the connection is not that great as the fielder at deep midwicket runs to his right and dives full length but can't hold on to a difficult chance.
Karthik plays the reverse scoop for a four between the wicketkeeper and short thirdman followed by two on the leg side.
Natarajan ends Karthik's brave knock. He bowls from wide of the stumps from round the wicket, getting the slower ball to move away late. Karthik looking to hit it through the off-side gets the edge and is caught behind after a stunning 83 from 35 balls, having hit seven sixes and five fours.
23:04 Karthik hits fifty but SRH set for win
RCB 230-6 (18 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
Bhuvneshwar is back into the attack. He starts with a wide to Rawat, who is then beaten off the next ball.
Rawat gets an inside edge on to the pads as SRH appeal for LBW before they take the review. But there is a clear edge as the review is lost.
Rawat takes one before Karthik does well to get his bat down and keep out the yorker.
Another single to Rawat before Karthik shuffles across a long way and misses the slower ball followed by another wide.
Karthik not giving up. He plays another amazing, reverse swatting Bhuvneshwar for a six over thirdman followed by another wide.
Karthik takes a single from the last ball to retain strike.
22:56 Karthik hits fifty but SRH set for win
RCB 216-6 (17 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
Karthik giving the home fans some much-needed entertainment. He flicks Natarajan over midwicket for a mighty 108m six -- the biggest of IPL 2024 -- as the bowler goes full and on the stumps.
The next ball is a yorker as Karthik digs it through midwicket for a couple of runs.
Natarajan makes a good comeback after that six to concede just 12 in his third over.
Karthik continues to attack. He pulls Cummins over midwicket for a six to race to his fifty from just 23 balls as RCB go past 200, in the 17th over.
He clips the next ball through midwicket for two runs but can't get the next ball away, hitting it to the fielder at mid-off.
He pulls Cummins for a single to deep midwicket and Rawat takes one off the next followed by a wide.
Karthik pulls the last ball over square leg for a six to get 17 from the over.
A good outing with the ball for Cummins, who finishes with superb figures of 3/43 in three overs.
22:42 Cummins strikes again; RCB 6 down
RCB 187-6 (15 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
RCB waging a fightback courtesy of Karthik. Unadkat is back into the attack as Karthik hits the first ball over point for a four.
The next ball is smashed over the cover region for another boundary followed by singles off the next two balls.
Karthik picks the slower ball from Unadkat as he deposits it over midwicket for a six followed by a wide. He sweeps the last ball through fine leg for a four as 21 come from the over.
46 runs from the last two overs revive RCB's hopes. However, they still face an impossible task, needing 107 from six overs for victory.
Cummins douses RCB's hopes. He strikes with the first ball of his new spell as Lomror ends up dragging the ball back on to his stumps.
Anuj Rawat, who has come in as the Impact Player, starts with a dot ball before he takes one.
Karthik miscues the pull shot off the slower bouncer followed by another dot ball to Rawat, who cuts the last ball for a four.
Just six runs from the over despite the boundary as Cummins continues to make the difference with the ball.
RCB need 101 from the last five overs for victory.
22:32 RCB's batters flop; SRH set for big win
RCB 160-5 (13 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
Pacer Natarajan is back into the attack. Lomror takes a single first ball before the next ball, a high bouncer to Karthik, is ruled a wide for height.
Karthik takes one followed by two wides in a row to left-hander Lomror, who then takes one down to long-off.
Two more singles as Natarajan gives away eight runs in his second over.
The asking rate has gone up to 19. Markande to bowl his final over. Lomror lofts the first ball down the ground for a six over long-off and slog sweeps the next for another six over midwicket.
Markande bowls a googly as Karthik shuffles across to get inside the line and swipes it over fine leg for a six.
He reverse sweeps the next for a boundary through point and takes one from the last ball.
25 runs from his final over spoils Markande's figures as he finishes with 2/46 from his four overs.
22:23 Cummins, Markande leave RCB in a mess
RCB 127-5 (11 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
Markande has a huge appeal for leg before turned down against Mahipal Lomror, who missed the slog sweep.
SRH take the review but the googly is clipping the off-stump which means the decision stays with umpire's call.
Just four singles and a wide as Markande continues to be excellent with the ball in the middle overs.
22:16 Cummins, Markande leave RCB in a mess
RCB 122-5 (10 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
Cummins is back into the attack. He starts with a short ball which du Plessis pulls for a boundary before he swings the next for a six.
However, Cummins has the last laugh. Du Plessis gloves the slower bouncer as he looks to pull and is caught behind after a superb knock of 62 from 28 balls, having hit seven fours and four sixes.
RCB slip to 121/4 in the 10th over, losing four wickets for 40 runs in the last 19 balls.
Dinesh Karthik misses the back of length ball down the leg side as he tries the glance. Cummins takes the review after the appeal for catch down the leg side is turned down.
But there is nothing on the UltraEdge as Karthik survives.
Karthik defends the fourth ball into the off-side for a single to get off the mark.
But Cummins strikes again in the over. Saurav Chauhan is trapped leg before wicket by a full straight delivery for a first-ball duck and he is happy to walk off without a review.
RCB already look out of the contest as they slip to 122/5 in 10 overs at the halfway mark. They need another 166 runs from the remaining 10 overs for victory.
Cummins and Markande's double strikes have put SRH on course for a big win.
22:09 Markande strikes again; RCB in trouble
RCB 111-3 (9 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
Du Plessis is swinging at everything as he brought up his fifty from just 23 balls in the previous over.
Markande continues as after two singles Patidar lofts the spinner straight down the ground for a six.
However, the spinner gets revenge a few balls later. Patidar swings across the line but only manages to loft it straight into the hands of Nitish Reddy at deep midwicket to be dismissed for nine.
Markande is bowling an unbelievable spell in a high-scoring contest, taking 2/16 in two overs.
22:05 Jacks run out for 7; RCB lose 2nd wicket
RCB 100-2 (8 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
Left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat comes into the attack. He starts with the bouncer which du Plessis easily carts over square leg for a six and then taps the next into the off-side for one.
Jacks top edges the pull shot which goes fine on the leg side for a four followed by a single.
Du Plessis slices Unadkat's slower ball over point for a four before his straight drive results in the run out of his partner.
RCB have raced to their 100 from 7.5 overs to stay in the hunt. SRH had got their 100 in 7.1 overs.
Du Plessis hits the full delivery straight back as Unadkat gets a hand on it before he ends up deflecting it on to the stumps. Will Jacks backing too early is out of his crease when the ball strikes the stumps as he is run out for seven.
21:59 Kohli out for 42; RCB lose 1st wicket
RCB 84-1 (7 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
Change of bowling works for SRH. Leg-spinner Mayank Markande takes just two balls to strike, as he dismisses the dangerous Kohli.
Kohli, who smashed 42 from 20 balls, with six fours and two sixes, misses the slog sweep and is bowled.
Smart bowling from Markande as he outsmarts Kohli with the googly which is a lot slower than his first ball to du Plessis.
Will Jacks walks in at No 3 and he gets off the mark with one.
A superb over from Markande as he gives away just five runs in his opening over on a pitch where all the bowlers have gone for plenty.
21:52 Kohli, du Plessis give RCB flying start
RCB 79-0 (6 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
SRH captain Pat Cummins brings himself into the attack, to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.
He starts with a yorker which sneaks through du Plessis's pads through to the wicketkeeper.
The next ball is lofted back over the bowler's head for a boundary.
An effort delivery from Cummins (144kph) which bounces sharply to hit du Plessis on the thighs.
He makes room and swings hard but can only mistime it to mid-off for one.
Kohli is hit on the pads as he looks to hit across the line but he manages to loft the last ball over mid-on for a four.
RCB have made most of the Powerplay to smash their way to 79 for no loss in six overs.
Kohli has blasted his way to 42 from 19 balls, while du Plessis has slammed 37 from 17 balls.
21:47 Kohli, du Plessis give RCB flying start
RCB 70-0 (5 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
Bhuvneshwar continues. Kohli swats the first ball over mid-on for a four and edges the next over short thirdman for another boundary followed by a single.
Finally a play and miss as du Plessis swings hard but is beaten by the incoming delivery.
Du Plessis continues to chance his arms as he hits the last two balls for boundaries on the leg side with RCB going past 50, in the fourth over.
Left-arm pacer Thangarasu Natarajan into the attack. Kohli drags the pull off the inside half to deep square leg for a single.
Du Plessis swings across the line to the same fielder for one before Kohli's attempted inside out shot goes over point for a four.
Kohli uses his feet but is beaten by the yorker from Natarajan who is not that far from the leg stump.
Kohli miscues the next ball high and manages to clear the fielder running back from mid-on for two runs.
He plays his trademark whip off his pads, to despatch the last ball for a six over midwicket.
RCB have made the perfect start as they race to 70 for no loss in five overs.
21:39 RCB off a flier; SRH post 287/3
RCB 39-0 (3 ovs) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
The experienced Bhuvneshwar Kumar from the other end. He makes a good start as du Plessis takes a single from the first ball followed by two dot balls to Kohli, who then makes up for it.
Kohli gets a thick outside edge off the fourth ball which flies over Natarajan at short thirdman for a four.
He plays a delightful flick shot, whipping the pacer over square leg for a six and keeps out the last ball.
Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Ahmed from the other end. Du Plessis has a big swing first ball but it goes off the outside edge fine on the off-side for a four.
He then makes room to the loft the spinner over long-off for a six followed by singles off the next two.
Du Plessis hammers the last ball over long-on for the second six of the over to get 18 runs from the third over.
21:35 SRH post highest ever total; 287/3 vs RCB
RCB 10-0 (1 ov) vs SRH 287-3 | Scorecard
SRH open the bowling with spin as Abhishek Sharma takes the new ball, while RCB continue with their regular opening pair of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis.
Kohli taps the first ball on the leg side for a single before du Plessis edges the next ball which goes through the vacant slip region for a four.
The RCB skipper clips the fourth ball for a single before Kohli, on 1, is put down by the bowler Abhishek, who can't hold on to a sharp chance to his right after the batter had miscued the pull shot.
Kohli makes good connection with the pull shot last ball for a four as 10 come from the first over.
21:16 SRH break own record for highest team total
SRH 287-3 (20 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
SRH are just 11 runs away from breaking the record for the highest team total in the IPL -- which they themselves achieved against Mumbai Indians earlier this season when they slammed 277/3.
Vyshak to bowl the final over. He starts with a wide before Markram glances the first ball fine on the leg side for a four.
Vyshak tries the slower bounce but Markram manages to pull it over midwicket for a six.
He then takes a single to take the score to 278/3 -- the highest team total in the IPL and also in T20 franchise cricket overall.
A rare dot ball as Samad swings hard but is beaten by the change of pace from Vyshak.
However, he takes full off the next delivery pulling the pacer over midwicket for a six. This is the 22nd six of the innings -- the most hit by an team in the history of IPL.
Vyshak tries the slower ball but ends up bowling a wide. Samad skies the last ball high over midwicket but the fielder running in from the deep puts down a simple catch to concede two runs.
21 runs from the final over as SRH finish on a mammoth 287/3 in their 20 overs.
Markram smashed 32 from 17 balls, while Samad went on a rampage to slam 37 from 10 balls.
Can RCB chase down this total? They have left out their two big-hitters in Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green so the likes of Kohli and du Plessis will be under a lot of pressure.
21:07 Rampaging SRH set for huge total vs RCB
SRH 266-3 (19 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Topley to bowl the penultimate over. Markram picks a single first ball before Samad picks the slower ball early, to swat it over midwicket for a four.
Samad smashes the next ball through the covers for another boundary to bring up SRH's 250.
Topley goes full and this time Samad hammers it straight down the ground for a six as the ball ends up hitting the roof.
Topley follows it up with a full toss as Samad makes most, hitting it straight for the second six in a row.
He swings hard but gets a thick outside edge off the last ball which flies over short thirdman for a four as 25 come from the 19th over.
21:03 Klaasen out for 67; SRH lose 3rd wicket
SRH 241-3 (18 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Things looking better for RCB. Dayal gets the wicket of Markram, who is caught at short thirdman but no soon the siren sounds for a no-ball as the pacer has overstepped.
Markram can't make most of the free hit delivery as he hits the wide yorker straight to the fielder in the covers for a dot ball.
Singles from the next three balls before Abdul Samad hits the last ball past point for a four to get 10 runs from the over.
20:58 Klaasen out for 67; SRH lose 3rd wicket
SRH 231-3 (17 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Ferguson back into the attack. It's an all-out attack from SRH now. Klaasen clubs the length ball into the roof over long-on for a six. Two balls later, Markram swings it over the same region for another six as the boundaries continue to flow.
A lucky break for RCB as Klaasen perishes to the slower full toss. He looks to guide it over point but mistimes it and is taken by Vyshak at backward point..
Another cracking innings from Klaasen, who smashed a brilliant 67 from 31 balls, with seven sixes and two fours.
20:49 Klaasen slams fifty; SRH race past 200
SRH 217-2 (16 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Topley is back into the attack. Markram picks a single first ball before Klaasen smashes the next over long-on for a six.
The next ball is a yorker as Klaasen manages to loft it over the non-striker for two runs down to long-off.
Singles off the last three balls as Topley gives away 12 runs from his third over.
20:45 Klaasen slams fifty; SRH race past 200
SRH 205-2 (15 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Part-time spinner Mahipal Lomror comes into the attack. Singles off the first two balls followed by a wide before Klaasen clubs the flighted delivery over long-on for a six.
He bowls two wides in a row before Klaasen slams it high over the long-on fence for another mighty six.
Klaasen keeps strike with a single from the last ball as Lomror concedes 18 in his first over.
Pacer Vyshak back into the attack. He deceives Klaasen with the slower full delivery as the South African swings hard but is beaten by the change of pace.
He pulls the next ball but hasn't got it off the middle but still has enough power to beat the two fielders in the deep for a four.
He takes a single before Markram punches the fourth ball past the cover fielder for a four followed by one to deep midwicket.
Klaasen continues to attack. This time he lofts the hapless Vyshak straight back over his head for a six as he brings up his fifty from just 23 balls, with SRH racing past 200 in the 15th over.
If RCB don't get a few quick wickets then they could be in for a lot more suffering in the last few overs as SRH certainly have enough firepower to target a total of around 270-280.
20:35 Head out for 41-ball 102; SRH 2 down
SRH 171-2 (13 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Klaasen is yet to get going. With Head stealing the limelight, Klaasen makes his presence as he flicks the full ball from Ferguson over midwicket for a six.
He takes a single before Head miscues the lofted shot high and is taken by Faf du Plessis at mid-off.
Head walks back after a stunning knock of 102 from 41 balls, with nine fours and eight sixes, scoring at strike rate of nearly 250.
Aiden Markram gets off the mark with a single to thirdman before Klaasen top edges the pull shot for a boundary and gets a leg bye off the last ball as he misses the flick.
20:29 Head slams 39-ball century; SRH on top
SRH 158-1 (12 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Klaasen finally gets going after a shaky start. Dayal bowls a slower bouncer which the South African powerfully swats over midwicket for a six.
He clips the next off his pads for two runs and then takes a single.
Dayal bowls a wide outside the off-stump to Head, who hits the next to the fielder in the covers.
The slower ball goes wrong for Dayal, who ends up bowling another wide before Head digs out the yorker for one, to make it 14 runs from the over.
Vyshak is back into the attack. He bowls a full wide delivery which Head lofts over the covers for a four to race into the 90s.
The next ball is short and this time Head tries the pull shot, getting the top edge for another four as SRH race past 150, in the 12th over.
He gets an edge off the third delivery for two runs before he hammers the pacer through midwicket for a four to race to a splendid century from just 39 balls, with nine fours and eight sixes.
RCB's bowlers won't forget this thrashing for a long time as Head has put on an exhibition of some incredible strokemaking at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
SRH well-placed on 158/1 in 12 overs, as they look on course for a total in excess of 220/230/
20:17 Head's attack puts SRH in control
SRH 128-1 (10 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Ferguson is back into the attack. He tries the slower bouncer to Head, who picks up the pace early and pulls it into the stands over square leg for his eight six as he races to 85 from 31 balls, at a strike rate of 274.
Ferguson bowls a good yorker which Head defends before he mistimes the lofted shot off the next for a single to long-on.
Some late away movement for Ferguson as Klaseen is beaten trying to run it down to thirdman.
He mistimes the pull shot last ball for a single to midwicket.
SRH on course for a huge score as they race to 128/1 in 10 overs at the halfway mark.
Head has blasted 86 from 33 balls, with six fours and eight sixes, while Klaasen is on three.
20:13 Abhishek out for 34; SRH lose 1st wicket
SRH 119-1 (9 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Topley brings RCB some relief with the wicket of Abhishek. The left-hander flicks the pacer straight into the hands of Ferguson at deep square leg.
He walks back after a good innings of 34 from 22 balls, having put on 108 runs from 49 balls for the opening wicket with Head.
Heinrich Klaasen walks in at No 3 as SRH look to continue the momentum.
He is beaten as he flashes at one away from his body which is ruled a wide before he takes a single to get off the mark.
Topley bowls a high bouncer to Head which is ruled a wide before the left-hander edges the next ball which goes for a boundary fine on the off-side.
He makes room before he cuts Topley behind point for another four.
20:06 Head on the attack; SRH race past 100
SRH 108-0 (8 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Spinner Jacks back into the attack. He starts with a wide down the leg side as the wicketkeeper fails to collect to concede another extra run.
Abhishek takes a single on the leg side before Head carves the next past point for a four.
Head proving to be unstoppable! The left-hander slogs the third ball over midwicket for a six and pulls the next over the same region for another maximum.
Singles from the last two balls as 21 runs come from the seventh over.
Pace bowler Vijaykumar Vyshak comes into the attack. Abhishek joins the party as he lofts the first ball straight back over the bowler's head for a six as SRH race past 100, after 7.1 overs.
Vyshak does well to keep the batters down to singles for the last five balls as 11 come from the over.
19:55 Head slams 20-ball fifty; SRH on top
SRH 76-0 (6 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Debutant Lockie Ferguson comes into the attack in place of Jacks, who bowled two good overs in the Powerplay.
Head is beaten first ball as he tries to run the back of length delivery to thirdman. The next ball is on the pads as Head flicks it over fine leg for a six.
Ferguson goes short and this time the Australian pulls it high over midwicket for another six as SRH race past 50, in the fifth over.
A single each to the two batters before Head swats the last ball over mid-off for a four as Ferguson goes for 18 in his first over.
Head on the charge! He is looking make most of the last over of the Powerplay. Dayal comes under attack as the left-hander clubs the short ball over long-on for his fourth six.
He goes big again but this mistimes the slower ball which clears the fielder at long-off for two runs.
Dayal makes the mistake of bowling short to Head, who pulls it over midwicket for the second six of the over.
Dayal tries the slower ball as Head makes room and hammers it through the covers for a four to race to his fifty from just 20 balls.
He manages just a single off the last ball as Dayal gives away 20 runs from the over.
SRH race to 76 for no loss in six overs, with Head blasting 52 from 21 balls, while Abhishek has played second fiddle on 23 from 15 balls.
19:46 Abhishek, Head give SRH flying start
SRH 38-0 (4 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Jacks, who conceded seven in his first over, continues. Head hits the first ball down to long-off for a single and Abhishek takes one off the third ball.
Head attempts a big swing over the leg side but fails to connect before he takes one.
Abhishek keeps strike with one from the last ball as Jacks bowls another tight over, giving away just four singles.
Change in the bowling as Yash Dayal replaces Topley. He starts with a wide before Abhishek slashes the next over point for a four. The next ball is pitched up and moves away slightly as Abhishek pokes and is beaten before he takes a single.
Head is beaten two deliveries in a row, looking to hit through the off-side before he takes one off the last ball.
Dayal makes a tidy start, conceding just seven runs including three dots in his opening over.
19:37 Abhishek, Head give SRH flying start
SRH 27-0 (2 ovs) vs RCB | Scorecard
Off-spinner Will Jacks opens the bowling for RCB against SRH's left-handed opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head.
The first ball is away from the off-stump as Abhishek defends before he blocks the next.
He uses his feet to drive the third ball wide of long-off for two runs and lofts the next over the covers for a four. He picks a single from the fifth ball and Head keeps out the last ball.
Left-arm pacer Reece Topley from the other end. Abhishek takes a single from the first ball before Head flicks the next off his pads over square leg for a four.
The third ball is pitched as Head slams it straight back over the bowler's head for a six.
Topley bowls a cracking short ball as Head gets a big fat top edge which clears the leg side fielders inside the circle for two runs followed by one.
The last ball drifts down the pads as Abhishek helps it, whipping it over fine leg for a six.
20 runs from the second over as SRH make a flying start.
19:12 RCB leave out Maxwell, Siraj
RCB will once again be hoping on Virat Kohli to shoulder the burden with the bat, while Lockie Ferguson's inclusion has certainly added some strength to the bowling, but the lack of a quality spinner will once again prove crucial on the flat batting pitch in Bengaluru.
SRH's power-packed batting line-up including the likes of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen will certainly take some stopping but they also don't have a top spinner.
Check out the playing XIs of the two teams:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Faf du Plessis (captain), Virat Kohli, Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Saurav Chauhan, Dinesh Karthik (w/k), Mahipal Lomror, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Reece Topley, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins (captain), Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (w/k), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Thangarasu Natarajan.
19:05 RCB elect to bowl vs SRH; Maxwell, Siraj out
Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Faf du Plessis has won the toss and elected to bowl against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"We haven't played our best cricket,' admits RCB captain du Plessis.
RCB are bottom of the standings with just one victory from six games played so far.
RCB have made a few changes as the struggling Glenn Maxwell is left out, while Mohammed Siraj is also given a break. The hosts have brought in New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson.
Meanwhile, SRH have retained the same playing XI.
18:33 Can Kohli get RCB back to winning ways?
Welcome to the coverage of the IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru on Monday.
RCB's IPL 2024 campaign that began with optimism has melted into complete chaos. Their bowlers require a drastic transformation in mindset against the in-form Sunrisers Hyderabad for them to register an elusive win after suffering five successive defeats.
RCB have players of repute and elite coaches with lofty pedigree but none of their plans have worked so far, evidenced by the team's 10th place in the standings with a solitary win from six matches.
RCB's trundling run in this IPL is directly linked to their bowlers' ineffectiveness. The RCB batters fired collectively to take them to 196, but MI hunted down the target in just 15.3 overs at the Wankhede stadium as the visiting bowlers were quite magnanimous in offering freebies.
RCB will pin their hopes on batting mainstay Virat Kohli, who leads the run-scoring charts with 319 runs from six matches at a strike rate of 174.
Fifties by skipper Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar and Dinesh Karthik against MI will certainly boost RCB's confidence.
But the form of Glenn Maxwell (32 runs, average: 5.3) remains a massive concern.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's intimidating batting line-up will look to feast on RCB's shaky bowling attack.
Two Hyderabad batters Heinrich Klaasen (186) and Abhishek Sharma (177) are inside the top-10 run-makers and Travis Head (133) too has been consistent.
But more than the quantity of runs, how they made it make them more dangerous as Klaasen (193), Abhishek (208) and Head (177) have torn apart the bowling unit in the Powerplay and in the death overs.
Similar to RCB, bowling is Hyderabad's soft underbelly in this tournament with spinners Shahabaz Ahmed and Mayank Markande giving away more than 11 runs in an over with minimal returns.
But the Hyderabad outfit has found a saviour in skipper Pat Cummins, their highest wicket-taker with six scalps; he has also conceded just over seven runs an over, a very respectable economy rate in this format.
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