In Match 54 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, two Playoffs contenders – Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – will lock horns at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday afternoon. With 10 points from 10 matches, Kane Williamson's Hyderabad are sixth place on the points table. Faf du Plessis' Bangalore are fourth, with 12 points, but they have played an extra match.
The last time they met Sunrisers Hyderabad, two weeks ago, the star-studded Bangalore batting line-up was bowled out for mere 68. They will head into this fixture with a point to prove. Hyderabad have a versatile bowling attack, and the Bangalore batters will have be on their toes in order to keep them at the bay. Apart from their top order, they badly need Glenn Maxwell to take charge in the middle overs and provide support to Shahbaz Ahmed, Mahipal Lomror and Dinesh Karthik.
Hyderabad, on the other hand, will need Williamson to step up. Batting at the top, he has not get going at all in this season (his strike rate is a mere 96), and time is running out fast for him and his team. Meanwhile, Aiden Markram has been consistent in the middle order, while Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, and Nicholas Pooran have chipped in with vital contributions.
Hyderabad also need Washington Sundar to return to their set-up. They have missed his all-round skills. Shreyas Gopal, his replacement, did not impress.
Likely Xis
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kane Williamson (c), Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shashank Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Marco Jansen, Umran Malik, T. Natarajan
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammad Siraj
Fantasy tips
- Hyderabad may recall Jansen for Sean Abbott. Jansen took three wickets when Hyderabad shot out Bangalore for 68.
- Back Bangalore batters like Patidar, Karthik, and Shahbaz.
- Malik was both wicketless and expensive in the last game. Expect him to get back in the grooves in this fixture.
Where to watch
Live streaming of Match 54 of IPL 2022 between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will start at 3.30 PM IST on May 8. You can watch the match on the Star Sports Network and Hotstar.