IPL 2021 – Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore taking place? Wednesday 14th April, 2021 – 14:00 (UK)
Where is Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore taking place? M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Where can I get tickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore? IPL 2021 matches will initially be played without spectators but visit the official IPL website for any further updates
What channel is Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore on? Sky Sports will be televising this match
Where can I stream Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore? Sky Sports subscribers will be able to stream the match live vis the Sky Go website or app
THE TEAM NEWS
SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
- It was a relatively disappointing opening game for Sunrisers Hyderabad whose superb bowling unit was under-par when conceding 187/6 and it proved to be ten runs too many for their batsmen in the run chase against KKR.
- Rashid Khan was in good form taking 2/24 from his four overs but the pace attack led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar struggled with the national team star going for 45 from his four overs so they will be desperate to improve here.
- They will no doubt be reassessing their team selection coming into this game but it is hard to see their overseas players changing with Kane Williamson expected to miss out once again as Mohammad Nabi did enough to keep his place and will enjoy conditions in Chennai but they need their local players to step up.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE
- Royal Challengers Bangalore got off to a sensational start in their opening game as they beat defending champions Mumbai Indians by two wickets and they will be looking to kick on and follow it up with another win here.
- Harshal Patel was the star with the ball taking 5/27 in his four overs while AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell and Virat Kohli led them with the bat but the only question mark for them will be over their batting around their major stars.
- Last year’s revelation Devdutt Padikkal is available again after COVID-19 and he will surely come back into the side at the top of the order which means Shahbaz Ahmed is tipped to be the one to make way for him and Washington Sundar will drop back down the order.
THE PREDICTION
Sunrisers Hyderabad meet Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai hoping to get their first win of the campaign but it will be a tough assignment if their respective performances in their opening games have anything to go by. RCB looked strong in their win against Mumbai while there were various deficiencies in the Sunrisers loss to KKR. That does not bode well for them when facing Virat Kohli’s men who look to have more depth and balance in their ranks than previous years. The bowling unit looks strong and the batting is even more formidable with Padikkal back in the side. They will strongly fancy their chances of picking up back-to-back wins here and barring some magic from Rashid Khan, David Warner and Jonny Bairstow, it is hard to see the Sunrisers getting off the mark in this one.
