*SRH VS RCB PREVIEW- MATCH 65*
*THE BUILD UP:*
With Hyderabad out of the playoff race, their motive to play is similar to the motive with which DC played the other night. They will play for pride and tonight, they will go up against RCB, a franchise having the most decorated and loyal fan base who’d do anything to see their team through to the superior Top 4 spots. RCB are in a race, a race against time to break free of the middle table muddle and a win tonight should be the first step to cross the final hurdle. Welcome to Match number 65, as Mohammad Siraj, the local boy, and co line up against an Aiden led outfit.
*SRH PROBABLE XI:*
Anmolpreet Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen(wk), Glenn Phillips, Abdul Samad, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Mayank Markande, Fazalhaq Farooqi/Marco Jansen
Heinrich Klaasen has the highest strike rate against spin this season - 180.95. Watch out for this protea viewers, as RCB will also be keeping a close tab on him as he could be an extremely dangerous pick against the spinners of RCB namely Karn Sharma, Michael Bracewell or Wanindu Hasaranga. RCB could look at his international team mate Parnell, to send him back to the pavilion for a cheap score.
Aiden Markram needs to finish the season on a high and with these two last league games left, he has a golden opportunity to do so. He has been mediocre at best, generating just one fifty and a total of 217 runs in 11 innings. The captain has been clueless at times with his strategies on field as well, he would be hoping to reverse that starting from tonight.
Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell have been dismissed by the swing bowler, Bhuvi 3 and 2 times respectively. The Indian pacer has managed to keep them relatively quieter as well and with Bhuvneshwar coming on the back of an impressive five wicket haul, RCB would look to attack him and get off the blocks against him to put pressure on him directly.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
I would love to see an Umran Malik return to the XI. He holds what it takes to triumph over Maxwell with his raw pace as the Aussie tends to struggle against quality pace. If he is the impact sub, expect Anmolpreet to play the same role if SRH bat second.
*RCB PROBABLE XI:*
Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Michael Bracewell, Anuj Rawat, Wayne Parnell, Karn Sharma, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj
Glenn Maxwell could be in trouble if Umran is unleashed but if we look at the positive side of things, then his matchup against leggies this season is incredible and he could be in for a real treat against Markande, who has impressed everybody with his stocks this season. The Big Show strikes at over 160 vs Leg spin and averages over 40. These stats are enough to send chills down anyone’s spine.
RCB saw Anuj Rawat step up his game last time they were onfield. It was refreshing to see any other Indian batter make it count outside the Big 3 for the Challengers. They would be hoping there’s more of this from Rawat and the other Indians in the batting contingent if RCB are to push their case further as the team to qualify.
RCB have done well on grounds and games which have something in it for the bowlers and Hyderabad with its history and it’s average run scoring, could prove to be a boon for the trophy less outfit. Their spinners could control the proceedings well here after Siraj starts nicely at his home ground.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Shahbaz Ahmed could come in as the impact substitute with a number of RHBs in the SRH middle order. He could replace one of Karthik or Lomror. Similarly, the latter two could play a similar role.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THIS GAME:*
*FOR SRH:*
Highest run getter- Heinrich Klaasen/Abhishek Sharma
Highest wicket taker- T Natarajan/Mayank Markande
*FOR RCB:*
Highest run getter- Faf Duplisses/Virat Kohli
Highest wicket taker- Karn Sharma/Mohammad Siraj
*FOR THIS GAME:*
Personally, I want to see a RCB victory but SRH can surprise the Faf led outfit and punch them with a blow, making it difficult for them to cross the final hurdle. If SRH can keep 2/3 of the big 3 of RCB quiet, they are winning this.