On the day of two matches, RCB vs SH would be the first match. Both have already played the most interesting game of the tournament where the match went into Super Over. Now after winning the first two matches at home Sunrisers play their first away game of the season, and they must be aware how keen Challengers would be to cut them into pieces. RCB has lost away game, but won at home. That would be enough boost for them apart from the revenge factor gearing them further up. The match is between RCBs batsmen and Sunrisers Bowlers. The winner takes it all.
For Sunrisers it is a matter of keeping the winning flow after defeating Warriors and RCB at home, but RCB face a bigger challenge. They have already lost what they should have won hands down at Hyderabad, despite being considered very strong team. Now at home they face the same challenge. They must take revenge and come back to the game. There is no other way out.
Current Players with MoM in the Past
2011 season saw 2 MOMs for Amit Mishra, one each for Steyn, Ishant, Shikhar Dhawan, while in 2012 Steyn took his tally to 3 with 2 more MoMs. In other two wins Cameron White and Sangakkara got one MoM each. In 2013 with MoM in the first match Amit Mishra has increased his tally to 3, while among the lesser known players Hanuman Vihari (2013) and Sunny Sohal (2011) have got one each.
For RCB, Gayle, AB de Villiers and Kohli share 10 Player of the match awards between them for RCB. Gayle has got 6, including the one in 2013 first match, AB has got 3 while captain Kohli has produced 2 of them. Vinay Kumar has also earned two, while Aravind has got one MoM.
Head-to-head: Hyderabad 7, RCB 5
2008
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RCB def DC by 3 Runs
RCB def DC by 5 Wickets
2009
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DC def RCB by 24 Runs
RCB def DC by 12 Runs
DC def RCB by 6 Runs
2010
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DC def RCB by 7 Wickets
DC def RCB by 13 Runs
RCB def DC by 9 Wickets
2011
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DC def RCB by 39 runs
2012
- RCB won by 5 wkts
DC won by 9 runs
2013
- Sunrisers Hyderabad won in Super Over
Challenges for Both teams
While Steyn, Ishant and Amit Mishra could be the decisive players for Sunrisers, in between the only hope lies on Shikhar Dhawan, if he is fit to play, and allround effort of Perera can prove to be the biggest changer, if they have to win, for SH today. The Reddy duo, one with bat and other with ball, Hanuman Vihari have proved their potential and they must continue the good performances for their own sake, as Captain Sangakkara and Cameron White are yet to find their form.
Gayle was tricked by Vihari in the last game while he was trying to settle down. Going for a revenge is a double-edged sword. RCB fans would ask for the kill, but Gayle must survive the battle as his wicket would again put RCB in trouble. Indian contingent of RCB has fell flat completely in the first two matches. If Gayle goes pressure is more on Kohli and AB. If somehow both go then they would be again in big trouble, and Sunrisers have the bowlers to achieve that.
Key Players for the Match
Henriques, Gayle and Muralitharan for RCB.
Cameron White, Shikhar Dhawan, Steyn, Amit Mishra and Perera for SH.
Cameron White may get enough boost from his Super Over performance to get back in the form. Perera appears set for a bigger contribution. Steyn would love to bowl at his first IPL home ground. For RCB, Gayle, Virat, AB and Muralitharan could be the key players.
While the trio of Gayle, AB de Villiers and Captian Kohli are enough to scare the opponents, the key has been the bowling from the likes of Vinay Kumar, Unadkat, Muralitharan and Murali Kartik. Vinay Kumar who was won one Player of the Match award each in 2008 and 2010, knows the best way to forget the Super Over disaster ghost is to nail his opponents today.
Key Contest
Without doubt it has to be Steyn vs Gayle. Both must be annoyed about only one-ball interaction in the last match and then Vihari coming inbetween to disrupt what could have been a memorable discussion.
Amit Mishra/Perera vs AB de Villiers/Kohli is another contest that will decide the fate of the match for RCB.
For Sunrisers there is nothing much in the batting to predict as unless Dhawan, White and Perera play to their potential their team is not good enough to score 150 runs, specially against the in-form bowling attack of RCB.
About The Author
Gayle and De Villiers would knock Amit Mishra and Ishant all over the part. Alone Steyn can’t save them now.
A century from Gayle, if RCB gets to bat first
Lord help the better team win. Sunrisers are too weak to put up a show
Gayle could not even play Vihari. Steyn he can’t handle. Sunrisers ready to burn the royal challenge in their home ground.
Gayle would fry Steyn and turn Sunrisers to dark moon today