The 30th match of the Indian Premier League is set to ignite the cricketing fervour as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Monday at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. With RCB languishing in poor form, having suffered defeats in 5 out of 6 matches, the encounter holds immense significance for both teams.
SRH, in contrast, arrive in Bengaluru with a semblance of momentum, having clinched victories in 3 out of 5 matches. Riding on the back of consecutive wins, SRH aim to extend their winning streak at the expense of a struggling RCB side.
Historically, the head-to-head record between the two franchises stands at 23 matches, with Hyderabad holding a slight advantage, having won 12 encounters compared to Bengaluru’s 10 victories. One match ended inconclusively. In their sole encounter in IPL 2023, RCB emerged triumphant with an emphatic 8-wicket victory over Hyderabad.
The highest score between the two teams stands at 231, a feat achieved by Hyderabad, underscoring the formidable challenge ahead for RCB. Victory is imperative for Bengaluru to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
Key players for RCB include veteran batsman Virat Kohli, who boasts a commendable record against Hyderabad, amassing 669 runs in 21 matches at an average of 35.21 and a strike rate of 139.66. Glenn Maxwell and Mohammad Siraj also hold crucial roles, with Maxwell scoring 339 runs in 16 matches against SRH, while Siraj has claimed 9 wickets in 10 encounters.
On CRICIT PREDICTA, a special programme presented by 1XBAT on India News, former Indian cricketer Noel David said about the pitch of M Chinnaswamy Stadium, “This pitch is considered a heaven for the batsmen. The power of the batsmen can be seen here. For the bowlers, This ground is no less than hell. The ground is also quite small, due to which there is a lot of rain in Bengaluru. The spinners get some help in the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Batting first, the target of 200 runs sometimes falls short. In the history of IPL, a total of 91 matches have been played on this ground, out of which the team batting first won 38 and the team batting second won 38. The team has won 49 matches while there has been no result in 4 matches. The average score in the first innings is 172 runs on this pitch. As the stage is set for an enthralling showdown, RCB aims to capitalize on home advantage and bounce back from its recent setbacks, while SRH seeks to consolidate its position with another commanding performance. With both teams eyeing crucial points, cricket enthusiasts can anticipate a riveting contest at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
(Sunil Yash Kalra is a women’s cricket historian and founder of Indian
Sports Fan.)