IPL 2025 RCB vs SRH | Royal Challengers Bengaluru look to strengthen prime two spot towards Sunrisers Hyderabad

Already by way of to the playoffs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will purpose to safe a top-two league stage end for the primary time in 9 years once they tackle Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) of their Indian Premier League conflict on Friday (Might 23, 2025)

RCB has not completed inside the highest two because the 2016 season once they signed off as runners-up ultimately.

Nonetheless, presently second on the desk with 17 factors from 12 video games, victories of their remaining two matches may doubtlessly lock a top-two spot.

Friday’s (Might 23, 2025) fixture, initially a house recreation for the Bengaluru outfit, was shifted as a result of onset of monsoon.

RCB was in red-hot kind previous to the league’s disruption as a result of India-Pakistan army battle, and the facet had strung collectively 4 consecutive wins.

However the momentum was halted by a washout of their first recreation after resumption. Following a 20-day break, will probably be fascinating to see whether or not they retain their rhythm and aggressive edge.

Chasing an elusive IPL crown, RCB have managed one in all their most constant campaigns in current reminiscence.

The ever-reliable Virat Kohli has been in imperious kind, scoring seven fifties in 11 innings and anchoring the highest order with attribute class.

Skipper Rajat Patidar, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd have complemented him effectively with well timed bursts of energy hitting.

That mentioned, Patidar’s kind took a dip simply earlier than the break. After averaging 37.2 in his first 5 video games, he managed solely 53 runs within the subsequent 5 at a median of 10.6.

A finger harm, sustained through the house conflict towards Chennai Tremendous Kings, compelled him right into a splint. Nonetheless, he has been batting freely within the nets as soon as once more in a promising signal for RCB heading into the enterprise finish.

The spin duo of Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma has been very efficient, whereas Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal have bowled the troublesome overs with ease within the tempo division.

Nonetheless, Hazlewood is not going to be obtainable for the sport as he recovers from his shoulder harm.

In an added increase, most of RCB’s international recruits can be found for this match and past.

Final yr’s finalists, Sunrisers Hyderabad, are coming off a convincing six-wicket win over Lucknow Tremendous Giants and might be keen to hold that momentum and end this forgettable season on a excessive.

Whereas SRH’s marketing campaign has had flashes of brilliance, significantly from explosive openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, consistency has remained elusive, resulting in their eighth place on the desk.

Their bowling unit, regardless of that includes marquee names like skipper Pat Cummins and India pacer Mohammad Shami, has struggled to ship collectively and assert management in key moments.

Groups

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (c), Mayank Agarwal, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Liam Livingstone, Nuwan Thushara, Lungi Ngidi, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Atharva Taide, Abhinav Manohar, Aniket Verma, Sachin Child, Smaran Ravichandran, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Travis Head, Harshal Patel, Kamindu Mendis, Wiaan Mulder, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Shami, Rahul Chahar, Simarjeet Singh, Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga.

Match begins 7:30 p.m. IST.