RCB Vs SRH : A Must Win Game for Both

The IPL has returned back to India. First leg of this year`s IPL took place at 3 venues in UAE successfully. UAE turned out to be that kind of venue for Kings XI Punjab as if they exchanged their luck with last year`s winner Mumbai Indians winning all of their 5 matches and MI losing all theirs. But what has been unbelievable is the way batting heavy teams like RCB and SRH have played. RCB won their first 2 matches and then suddenly lost their track. Whereas, SRH which has some world`s best T20 batsmen and some brilliant fast bowlers in their team have not been able to make a mark. Both teams have won just two matches out of their first 5 matches.
Both teams have been wondering what they have been lacking as the conditions in UAE were not much different as compared to INDIA. They start their campaigns in INDIA by facing each other this Sunday in Bengaluru. Let us analyze both the teams at this stage.

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD

POSITIVES : The biggest positive this year for SunRisers has been Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. He bowled exceptionally when every other bowler including Steyn was hit all over the park. He is making use of his Swing in the power play to a great effect and later mixes the slower ones with great ease to outfox the batsman. In the batting department, Aaron Finch and David Warner have struck form and have helped their team win one match each. Another positive has been L Rahul who played a good hand in the middle order in their last outing against MI.

NEGATIVES : Their Premier fast bowler Steyn has not yet fired as he should have. Steyn has gone for runs and has not been able to pick wickets at will as he used to. Their leggie Amit Mishra has been the most expensive bowler this season. He has been hit by Maxwell and Pollard badly and has gone for more than 50 runs twice. Last, their Skipper Shikhar Dhawan has looked patchy. He looks confused on the field and the same is affecting his batting as well. Probably, he is not yet up for the captaincy.

WHAT THEY NEED TO DO AGAINST RCB ?
They need to utilize the early swing to get Gayle and Kohli out early on to put them under pressure. As we have seen in the past how the best batting line-up has failed to perform under pressure. If RCB gets a good start then we all know how RCB plays at their Home ground.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE

POSITIVES : Yuzvendra Chahal has been the most emerging player of this year`s IPL. Chahal has taken wickets regularly and has beaten many International batsmen with his spin. He is courageous enough to flight the ball and the reason why he picks wickets. Parthiv Patel in the absence of Gayle has helped his team to get a good start barring a few matches. Varun Aaron has been a delight to watch this year. Looks like Alan Donald is really working hard to make him India`s best fast bowler. Aaron has bowled with pace and has even hit a few batsmen on the chin. He has been their leading wicket taker.

NEGATIVES : Their so called best batting line-up has failed very badly. Gayle is back in the side but looks shady. Kohli has succumbed under pressure of captaincy. Yuvraj has forgotten how to bat against the fast bowlers. And Devilliers has lost himself somewhere.

WHAT THEY NEED TO DO AGAINST SRH ?
RCB need to do what their strength lies in i.e batting. They need runs on the board. Kohli needs to bat through. All their batsmen must be eager to score runs.

Lets hope for a great match. Some of the best hitters will be there to entertain the crowds. May the team that plays the best cricket emerge as the Winning team tonight.

—Ddevanshu Wadhawan