Chennai: After starting their campaign on a winning note, Royal Challengers will have their task cut out against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday (April 14).
Virat Kohli’s side cracked a stunning last-ball victory against the Mumbai Indians in their opening game chasing down a tricky total of 160 with two wickets in hand. AB de Villiers was the show stopper with his 27-ball 48. Although they made the chase look tough despite a good start, Glenn Maxwell’s inclusion proved fruitful. However, the Aussie all-rounder will have to take more responsibility considering the heavy price tag on him.
Harshal Patel was the star of their bowling line-up with his fifer and he will be looking to do the same this time against the likes of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow. Changes in the XI are likely to happen for them with Devdutt Padikkal returning to the squad from his quarantine period.
This could lead to Washington Sundar dropping down to his usual batting order after being used as a makeshift opener in the last game while one of Rajar Padiar and Shahbaz Ahmed would have to sit out for making the space.
As for Sunrisers, they will look to bounce back after a 10-run loss against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the last game. Besides Bairstow, Warner and Manish Pandey, they don’t seem to have anyone reliable down the order to decide their games. Though, Pandey scored a brilliant unbeaten 61 in the last game, his ability to get his side over the line was put into question. Kane Williamson can be a choice for this game in the possible place of Mohammad Nabi.
Their bowlers though have been quite good with Rashid Khan and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar being the main. It will be interesting to see what kind of planning they have against the star-stacked RCB batting lineup.
